Mourinho Praises Klopp For Liverpool Comeback Against Barcelona

By Joshua Walters

Jose Mourinho has paid a glowing tribute to Jurgen Klopp for masterminding Liverpool’s heroic comeback against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final second leg at Anfield on Tuesday.

Liverpool trailed 3-0 from last week’s first leg at the Camp Nou but two goals apiece from Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum turned the tie in the hosts’ favour.

The result made Liverpool the first side in Champions League history, to overturn a three-goal deficit in the semi-finals of the competition despite the absence of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

“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 said as a pundit for 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.

Jurgen Klopp has already lost two Champions League finals with Borussia Dortmund in 2013 and Liverpool in 2018, but Mourinho, who has won the tournament twice with FC Porto and Inter Milan, believes the German trainer is finally ready to break his European duck.

“I just hope that Jurgen wins the Champions League finally,” the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager added.

“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.”