Manchester United will feed off the atmosphere inside Anfield when they visit Liverpool on Saturday, and the hostile reception they receive from the home fans will only serve as extra motivation, manager Jose Mourinho has said.
United have made a strong start to the Premier League season and are second in the table behind Manchester City on goal difference, but face a tough test at the home of their bitter rivals.
Mourinho knows his team cannot expect a warm welcome, but is confident they will be equal to the occasion.
“This is quite funny for me because when people speak about big atmospheres, it looks like we don’t like them,” the Portuguese told a news conference on Friday.
“It looks like it is a big problem for us to go to a certain place and to face a big atmosphere. This is what we want. I am surprised that you speak about that in a negative way.
“I’m even more surprised when I see former big players speaking about atmospheres like something sinister that worries us. It motivates us.
“It’s something that we want. It’s something that if we could have in every match, we would have in every match.”
The #MUFC manager jokes about his tactics for tomorrow's game... pic.twitter.com/3muHsaVmSl
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 13, 2017
The manager used Barcelona’s La Liga match against Las Palmas on October 1 as an example.
Barcelona played the game behind closed doors following clashes between police and voters in Catalonia over a disputed independence referendum.
“When Barcelona played against Las Palmas in an empty stadium, do you think the players were happy with that?” Mourinho asked.
“Do you think the Las Palmas players wouldn’t prefer to play in a Nou Camp that is full, with a great atmosphere?
Jose Mourinho confirms Michael Carrick is sidelined for tomorrow's game against Liverpool, but Romelu Lukaku is fit and available. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/ks6HMLnV4y
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 13, 2017
“We go to play against a big team with a big tradition, in an amazing stadium. We know the fans have huge animosity against Manchester United historically, but this is what we want.
“So, we are very happy in our careers to have one more opportunity to play in these beautiful conditions. It is beautiful to play at Anfield. Beautiful.”
Becks doing what he did best at Anfield in 1997! 🎯 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/IZUFTUroJ9
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 13, 2017
United are unbeaten so far this season with six wins and one draw, while Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are seventh with three wins, three draws and one defeat, and Mourinho said both teams were evenly matched.
“I look at them with the potential they have, the quality of their players and the team. It’s a very difficult match for us, and I believe they think it is a difficult match for them,” he added.