Jose Mourinho plays down rivals Liverpool's injury issues, predicts champions' playing XI

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has downplayed Liverpool's injury issues ahead of Spurs' trip to Anfield on Wednesday. Jurgen Klopp's side have had a host of injury problems this season, with likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, ruled out for most of season. Reds boss has repeatedly called for introduction of five substitutes, but Mourinho has distanced himself from claim, suggesting that injuries are a rmal part of sport. 

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Liverpool vs Tottenham: Jose Mourinho effectively names Reds' starting XI, shrugs of injury crisis claims 

Speaking to media ahead of Liverpool vs Tottenham clash, Jose Mourinho effectively named hosts' starting XI for Wednesday night's clash at Anfield. Spurs boss said that while Liverpool have suffered a host of injuries, Reds pretty much have ir starting XI intact, with exception of Virgil van Dijk. Dutch international suffered an ACL tear in October and is racing against time to be fit again this season. Portuguese tactician, when quizzed about what team he expected to face at Anfield, claimed that entire Liverpool first XI excluding Van Dijk is expected to feature because ne of m are injured.

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Mourinho, however, said that while Dutch centre-back will a huge miss for Reds, re is injury crisis to be worried of. Spurs boss furr said that he could name 10 injuries at Tottenham, with two each in U-16s and U-18s, while three more in U23s. Amongst first-team squad, Erik Lamela and Japhet Tanganga are out injured, but rest of his team, including Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son, are fit. former Real Madrid boss claimed that every club had injuries, and it is part and parcel of gruelling season. 

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Jurgen Klopp hailed Mourinho for turning Spurs into a results machine as Tottenham hold top spot in Premier League standings. However, Portuguese manr believes it is too early to make a judgement and added that a period of good results is about a few months and a 'results machine' is much more than that, which his team is far from. neless, Mourinho finished with saying that he was happy with his team's performances over course of season, and gave credit to his players. Tottenham are top of Premier League standings with 25 points, ending defending champions Liverpool on goal difference, who occupy second spot ahead of clash at Anfield. 

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(Im Courtesy: Tottenham Instagram)