Jose Mourinho’s famous mind games have made an early appearance during this summer’s pre-season, with the Portuguese insisting that Liverpool should win the league this season due to their spending in the transfer window.

Liverpool have spent over £170m so far this summer on four stars, paying a record amount for goalkeeper Alisson as well as hefty fees for Fabinho and Keita. The Reds also paid a record £75m for defender Virgil van Dijk in January, taking their total spending in 2018 to nearly £250m.

And Jose Mourinho has labelled the German’s transfer policy as ‘funny’, after Klopp criticised Mourinho for signing Paul Pogba for £90m two years ago.

Speaking after United’s friendly win against AC Milan, Mourinho said Liverpool have invested well on transfers – but warns the demand for them to win the Premier League will be very high.

“I think if you have the money, if you invest well, it is better than to have it in the bank. Because the interest rates are very low,” Mourinho said.

“The problem is you have to invest well and honestly I think they did very well, because every player they bought are quality players. I’m happy for them.

“And I’m also happy to smile [about Klopp’s previous comments] and to see that, you know, you can change your opinion and change as a person, it’s funny.

“That’s okay, but maybe this season finally you demand that they win. I think you have to be fair and now you have to demand [they win the league].

“You have to say the team, with the investments not just this season, last season, that you made in January, that you make now, because that will probably be the record for the Premier League this season, I can’t see anyone else getting close to spending what they have.

“A team that was a finalist in the Champions League, you have to say you are a big candidate, you have to win.”
[Quotes via Sky Sports]

Mourinho will face Klopp on Sunday when United play Liverpool in the International Champions Cup.