Jose Mourinho compliments Liverpool's defending in Old Trafford draw

Thursday 2 April 2020 12:23, UK

Jose Mourinho said it was "good to see Liverpool defend well" in Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Jurgen Klopp's side.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued his hot goalscoring streak with a late headed equaliser as United rescued a 1-1 draw against old foes Liverpool at Old Trafford.

James Milner's first-half penalty - punishing a ragged Paul Pogba's handball - handed Liverpool the lead but despite a solid defensive display, where Dejan Lovren picked up the man-of-the-match award, they couldn't hold out for victory.

Mourinho was criticised for United's defensive-focused display in the corresponding fixture earlier this season which finished 0-0 at Anfield and was quick to reference Liverpool's defensive attributes this time around.

"It was entertaining, but it wasn’t a high quality game," he said.

"I think both teams can do better than what we did today, in terms of the quality of our game. We created chances at 0-0 but then they scored. In the second half we had a few important chances too but they defended.

"It’s good to see that Liverpool can also play well defensively. On the counter attack they were always dangerous and smelling a chance."

Mournino's men had spurned a string of chances but Liverpool's resolve finally broke as time ticked away when Ibrahimovic steered home Antonio Valencia's cross.

The chance came about after substitute Marouane Fellaini flicked a header against the far post. Mourinho admitted that the introduction of Fellaini meant United direct with their approach play.

"We had to change our way of playing," Mourinho said.

"Liverpool are a team that press the game very well. It’s not so easy to move the ball in the way we like to do so we went for a more direct approach and caused them problems. I think we deserved more, but a point is something we all have to accept."

Liverpool's manager Klopp was unwilling to speak about a potential offside in the build-up to United's equaliser or a Wayne Rooney challenge on goalscorer Milner, while Mourinho was coy on the spot-kick conceded by Pogba.

The United manager had few arguments about referee Michael Oliver's overall display, but used the penalty as a chance to make a point of his own.

"I don't know," he said. "I don't know, I didn't watch. But the referee was very close, so probably it is a penalty.

"The problem with the penalties are they are just a criteria - sometimes you give, sometimes you don't - and it is amazing that 21 Premier League matches, plus three in the League Cup, plus one in the FA Cup is 25.

"In 25 matches, we had one penalty - it is something for the Guinness (World Records) - but today was in our box and I didn't watch.

"But I have to believe that was a penalty and I am happy for the referee if it was a penalty because his record for us this season is three matches, three penalties against. So if this time it was a penalty, I am happy for Michael."