Jose Mourinho admits it is difficult to judge whether Jurgen Klopp’s current Liverpool side is better than the Reds’ 2005 European Cup-winning team.
The Manchester United manager has again turned to trophies as the basis of his argument, with Klopp still waiting to win his first piece of silverware at the club.
Liverpool have put themselves firmly in Premier League title contention thanks to an unbeaten start to the season, and are also in the last 16 of the Champions League after Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Napoli.
Mourinho’s United meanwhile sit in sixth place and 16 points behind Klopp’s men ahead of Sunday’s meeting at Anfield.
Discussing whether this is the strongest Liverpool team he will have faced, the Portuguese told Soccer Am: “I played against a Liverpool that were European champions.”
“I don’t know if it’s better or it’s not better. I just know that the other one was European champion and this one has won nothing.”
"This one has won nothing"
Jose Mourinho on whether this Liverpool squad is the toughest he's faced in the Premier League 😲 pic.twitter.com/OWuRysjeGY
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) December 15, 2018
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It’s always worth noting how far football has progressed in terms of playing style, speed and intensity when comparing teams with over 10 years between them.
At first glance, it’s difficult to look at both squads on paper and not believe Klopp has far greater options and strength in depth at his disposal.
Touching on Mourinho’s recent comments that ‘trophies matter’, the Liverpool boss told the Echo: “If people say the Champions League campaign last season was not a success because we didn’t win the final then I cannot change that.”
“Going to the final was fantastic but in life – in all departments of life including your job – if only the best counts and effort doesn’t count then life is s***.”
With Liverpool searching for their first league win over United since 2014, it may also be fair to say Mourinho is yet to see the best of this Klopp-led team. It’s time that changes on Sunday.