Jurgen Klopp: Mourinho’s tactics would not be okay at Liverpool

‘I think Man United came here for the point and they got it. We wanted three points’

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho shake hands before the match. Photo: Phil Noble/Reuters
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho shake hands before the match. Photo: Phil Noble/Reuters

Jurgen Klopp said Jose Mourinho's tactics would not be acceptable at a club like Liverpool after Manchester United earned a 0-0 draw at Anfield for the second successive season.

Liverpool dominated possession but could not break down United’s defence as Klopp’s men drew a third straight game.

The hosts came closest to scoring as David De Gea made a superb save to deny Joel Matip while at the other end Romelu Lukaku squandered United's big chance.

Klopp felt his side dominated the game and felt his side should have had a penalty after Philippe Coutinho went down under pressure from Ander Herrera.

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The Liverpool manager told Sky Sports: “I think the performance was worth three points. We were the better side.

“I think Man United came here for the point and they got it. We wanted three points and didn’t get it.

“I’m sure if we played like this, you could not do this at Liverpool. Obviously for Man United it is okay.

“It’s quite difficult when a top-class team like Man United has that defensive approach. You’re not going to get 20 chances. But we had enough, a big one in the first half, and a penalty I feel, we were unlucky.”

The big chance came when United failed to clear a corner and the ball fell for defender Matip inside the six yard box, but De Gea deflected the ball away with an outstretched leg.

Matip felt Liverpool would have won the game if he had taken the opportunity.

“It was a great save from De Gea,” Matip said. “I had to score and maybe we would have won this game. But his reaction was brilliant.”

De Gea said: “I tried to react quickly and it hits my foot. It was instinct. It was a really good (save), but I need to keep my level high.

“We always try to win games, but today Liverpool played better than us. One point away from home, we’re happy.”

Mourinho felt Klopp could have had a more attacking approach.

The German used his three substitutes to make like-for-like attacking changes, with Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah all making way.

Mourinho said: “They played 90 minutes with (Emre) Can, (Jordan) Henderson and (Georginio) Wijnaldum and I thought playing at home, seven points behind us, they are going to change. They never did.

“They changed man-for-man in attack. They kept their three midfield players in the centre of the pitch and I had no chance to answer.

“I need my bench and I have no bench. I need to play against Henderson, Can and Wijnaldum, power and energy. I had no power and energy.

“I only had two midfield players and had no one else to compensate that.

“I don’t like to speak about it and it’s unfair on (Ander) Herrera and (Nemanja) Matic, because they gave everything, but (Paul) Pogba, (Marouane) Fellaini and (Michael) Carrick I was feeling for players I didn’t have.

“I had no chance to bring the game in another direction so I think it is a positive point for us.”