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Mourinho now an ally?

Published by Zac Lee Rigg on August 16, 2008

Liverpool fans have spent the last several seasons despising Jose Mourinho. He has been a public nuisance to the club in every paper leading up to games between Liverpool and his former club Chelsea, and he blatantly refuses to accept that he was beaten in the 2005 Champion’s League semi-final.

However, in Mourinho, currently manager of Inter Milan, Liverpool fans may have found an ally for the upcoming season.

Writing in his column for the Daily Telegraph, the Special One had nothing but nice things to say about his old foes: “I honestly believe this could be Liverpool’s year.”

“It is impossible to win the championship without a world-class goalkeeper and a world-class striker — and Liverpool has both of these. Last season, when the club bought Fernando Torres, the spine of the team was completed: Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Torres.”

“Reina underlined his importance to the team again on Wednesday night with his penalty save against Liege — and I know from first-hand experience that his penalty saves are no flukes — while I think everyone knows the respect I have for Gerrard. It just seems incredible to me that he has gone this long without winning a league title.

“As for Torres? Benitez should take enormous credit for not only bringing Spain’s superstar to Anfield, but making him a better player too. You saw him grow through last season and at Euro 2008. He will score at least 20 goals again this season. With Robbie Keane at his side, maybe he can even break 30 in the league.”

“On top of all of that, Liverpool also has Anfield on their side — and they must use that to their advantage soon to win a title before they move grounds. It is an incredible stadium. I have so many emotional memories of taking my Chelsea team there and I quickly learned what a tough, tough ground it is to visit.”

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