Jose Mourinho thinks Jurgen Klopp should take a lot of the credit for Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Barcelona that booked them a place in the Champions League final.
The five-time European champions will take on Ajax or Tottenham in Madrid on June 1 after digging deep to overturn last week’s 3-0 first-leg defeat at the Nou Camp.
Divock Origi put Liverpool ahead after just seven minutes and the hosts kicked on in the second half as Anfield witnessed a night that will live long in the memory.
Georginio Wijnaldum came off the bench to score a quickfire brace, before Origi turned home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s smart corner to seal a 4-0 win and progress 4-3 on aggregate.
“I didn’t expect it, I said impossible is nothing, I said if it’s possible, Anfield is one of the places to make the impossible be possible,” Mourinho told beIN Sports.
“But I have to say that for me, this has one name – Jurgen.
“I think this is not about tactics, this is not about philosophy, this is about heart and soul, and a fantastic empathy he created with this group of players.
“They had the risk of finishing a fantastic season without anything to celebrate, and now they are one step from being European champions.
“I think Jurgen deserves, you know, the work they are doing in Liverpool is fantastic.
“But I think this is about him, this is a reflection of his personality, don’t give up, a fighting spirit, every playing giving everything.
“He’s not crying because he’s missing a player, he’s not crying because they are playing 50 or 60 matches per season.
“Other coaches in other leagues they are crying, saying their players are playing too many matches when they play 30 or 35 matches.
“Everything I think today is about Jurgen’s mentality.
“I just hope that Jurgen wins the Champions League finally.
“Because he lost already two Champions League finals and also a Europa League final.
“I think he deserves to make it happen. Because the work is fantastic.”
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