LIVERPOOL v MAN UNITED
JESPER: ZLAT’S A COOL CAT
was playing on the Friday before so we were feeling that that match was set up for Liverpool to be champions.
“In fact we went there with the players that were not playing against Atletico because we had no chance and everybody was waiting for something different than what happened.
“I take no greater satisfaction from beating Liverpool than anyone else. For me, playing Liverpool is to play against a big club.
“In Madrid, I wanted to play against Barcelona, I wanted to play against Atletico, I want to play against Valencia. At Inter, I want to play against Milan, against Juventus, against Roma. In Chelsea, I want to play against Man United, against Liverpool, against Arsenal, against all the big clubs in the country and now Man United is the same so I love to play against the big opponents and Liverpool is a big opponent.”
Contenders
Mourinho, though, refused to be drawn on whether Jurgen Klopp’s men can end their 27-year wait for the league title this term.
“That is not my problem,” he said. “I think we have a very difficult match on Monday. But it is not for me to say that they are or they are not title contenders. I think you have to ask them.” FORMER MANCHESTER United Treble winner Jesper Blomqvist has claimed fellow Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic will revel in the red-hot atmosphere at Anfield.
And Blomqvist believes the Kop will be wasting their time trying to wind up Ibrahimovic.
“He will thrive on the occasion, he likes that challenge,” Blomqvist said.
“To be on the biggest stage and the biggest games, he really likes that.
“Looking at him from outside, I can see he is working even harder now than before. He wants to show everybody, he has already done a little bit, but he wants even more.
“He wants to prove to everyone here he is more than ready for the tasks. You can see he likes it. He likes pressure, he wants it, it will get the best out of him.
“Zlatan has matured. He had a temper earlier in his life, but I don’t think it’s a problem for him now.
“He is used to big games and big atmospheres. He had to learn how to handle certain situations because all his career he has had people trying to provoke him.
“Of course, he is still very fierce and competitive. But he can handle that now. He has calmed down. It won’t be a problem against Liverpool.”
Jesper Blomqvist was speaking at the launch of Marathonbet’s Manchester United online live casino.