Published 11:41 IST, November 11th 2019
Jose Mourinho jokes with Kompany over 2014 title win post Gerrard slip
Jose Mourinho was his usual enigmatic self during a preview of Liverpool vs Man City. The Portuguese joked with Kompany regarding Gerrard's slip and title win.
Former Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany were a part of the Liverpool vs Manchester City preview and Jose Mourinho pulled a classic Mourinho during the pre-match preview. Speaking ahead of the game, Vincent Kompany said that there were a number of occasions in this decade wherein Liverpool were top of the Premier League table, with Manchester City trailing the league leaders and ultimately ending up as champions. Jose Mourinho, however, was quick to take the former Man City centre-back by surprise.
Jose Mourinho takes Vincent Kompany by surprise
Mourinho pointed out that during these instances, Manchester City were the best team in the league, which is why they could afford to be behind Liverpool at some stage. However, Mourinho then went on to point out that Kompany never called him up to thank the then-Chelsea manager for gifting Man City the title that season. Mourinho's comments refer to the incident wherein Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's slip against Chelsea at Anfield proved detrimental to Liverpool's title hopes in the 2013-2014 season.
Jose Mourinho also drew attention to the fact that while Liverpool were good, they were nowhere near as good as Manchester City in the Premier League that season. Mourinho was also quick to point out that City's pedigree of chasing the league leaders and eventually ending up champions will count for little this season, considering that Liverpool won the Champions League last season. Mourinho said that being the European champions means that Liverpool now know how to win and cope with the high-pressure games that come across their way, something that they were perhaps lacking a little last season.
Jose Mourinho's comments would hold true as Liverpool displayed their competency in high-pressure situations by registering a convincing 3-1 win over Vincent Kompany's former side. A stunning long-distance strike from Fabinho and goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane meant that Liverpool got one over the reigning champions at Anfield, thus extending their lead against City to a total of nine points. Manchester City were pegged back as early as the sixth minute when Fabinho rifled a shot past Man City's stand-in keeper Claudio Bravo. Seven minutes later, Mohamed Salah would finish off a devastating counter-attack when he headed in a cross from Andrew Robertson to double Liverpool's lead in the first half.
Updated 15:51 IST, November 11th 2019