Mourinho claims Klopp ‘does what he wants’ after FA Cup snub

Joe Williams

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has reacted to Jurgen Klopp’s decision to miss his side’s 1-0 FA Cup fourth round replay win over Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night.

The manager and his first-team Liverpool squad were, somewhat controversially, absent on their scheduled mid-season break but the German still maintained contact with Neil Critchley, the coaching staff and the players and had an able deputy in James Milner offering his experience and expertise at close quarters.

Klopp, as he did back in December when he was away with the first team at the Club World Cup in Qatar, watched the game from afar and offered his backing via phone.

“Jurgen Klopp is Jurgen Klopp, he does what he wants,” Mourinho said when asked about Klopp’s decision to miss the match.

“He does what his board wants him to do or allows him to do.

“And he does what the rules allow or doesn’t allow him to do. He does what he wants.”

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Former Manchester United academy graduate Ro-Shaun Williams’ own goal settled the tie midway through the second half and Critchley revealed that Klopp was “in touch”.

“The boss was in touch this afternoon with some words of advice and encouragement,” Critchley said.

“We had a message from the staff that he is delighted with the performance and is buzzing. We have given him a game against Chelsea to look forward to.

“He just gives you total clarity, belief, play the Liverpool way, go for it. And that is what the first team do. This is us, this is how we play, this is what we stand for and you had better be ready for it.”