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The Tottenham manager is not buying that a Premier League title challenger is in trouble after suffering a series of unfortunate physical setbacks.
José Mourinho has started to fan the flames ahead of Tottenham’s decisive clash with Liverpool at Anfield, and the Portuguese dismiss claims that the Reds are suffering from an injury crisis.
For the Spurs coach, his opponent, Jurgen Klopp, is dealing with a “major injury.”
He admits that Dutch international Virgil van Dijk is almost impossible to replace, as the Dutch defender has been sidelined with a knee ligament injury since October.
Since then, Klopp has lost players like Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, James Milner and Diogo Jota to unfortunate shots, with the Liverpool team being tested to the full.
However, the Premier League champions have invested a lot to ensure they have the necessary strength in depth.
With that in mind, and with a wealth of wealth still at Klopp’s disposal, Mourinho doesn’t think the Reds are in trouble.
He told reporters ahead of a meeting between the top two in the Premier League on Wednesday: “Give me Liverpool’s injury list and compare it to the best Liverpool team.
“Liverpool have a great injury, which is Van Dijk.”
Tottenham have had to deal with their own injuries this season, and Gareth Bale has yet to reach top speed after returning to North London on a loan from Real Madrid throughout the season.
Asked if the Welshman could appear against Liverpool, Mourinho said: “We still have a training session. Yesterday (Monday) he did not train with the team, he trained on the inside. For the moment I would say no, but we’ll see ”.
While a lack of sharpness keeps Bale on the sidelines, England international midfielder Harry Winks is seeing fierce competition for places that deny him regular playing time.
Asked if the 24-year-old has sought an explanation for his lack of minutes, Mourinho replied: “Yes, he came to see me. Not just him. Many players come to me.
“I have my office on the first floor and a small space on the ground floor next to the changing room to make it so easy for them. Yes, Winks came to talk to me, yes ”.
Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso are among those keeping Winks out, with that pair battling each other for a starting spot.
Pressed on that selection call, which has seen a French international get the go-ahead, Mourinho said: “It’s not difficult. Difficult is when you don’t have any of them.
“Can you play together? Yes. The physical condition of both is very important. To play the two of them together, we need them to be fit and play with the right intensity. And they will.
“I’m not saying tomorrow or Sunday or next week, but they will play together. It’s not a problem when I’ve grown up and playing pretty well. “
