Jose Mourinho provided a timely reminder of Jurgen Klopp's criticism of the Paul Pogba transfer this afternoon, with Liverpool set to make Virgil van Dijk the most expensive defender in history.
Southampton accepted Liverpool's £75 million bid for the Netherlands international earlier this week, with Klopp being described as "desperate" to bring in defensive reinforcements.
The world's most expensive defender will make his Liverpool debut in the new year. Image: PA
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And while the former Borussia Dortmund boss insists that supporters should forget about van Dijk's price tag, Mourinho recalls how Klopp was keen to criticise United for paying a similar amount for Pogba in 2016.
Klopp famously quipped, "If you bring one player in for £100m or whatever, and he gets injured, then it all goes through the chimney.
"Do I have to do it differently to that? Actually, I want to do it differently.
"I would even do it differently if I could spend that money."
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Pogba's world record breaking transfer fee drew criticism from Klopp in the summer of 2016. Image: PA
However, with Klopp since breaking Liverpool's transfer record to bring in ex-Celtic defender van Dijk, Mourinho was keen to remind reporters of the German's attitude toward big money moves 18 months ago.
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Speaking ahead of tomorrow night's game against Southampton, Mourinho said, "You know, I think the one that speaks about it in a specific way has to be Jurgen, and if I was one of you I would ask him about his comments about one year ago.
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"Not speaking specifically about that case because in Liverpool, they do what they want to do and I am nobody to comment on what they do, but the reality is that if they think that the player is the right player for them, and they really want the player they pay his amount or they don't have the player because that is the way the market is."
It will be interesting to see if Klopp issues a response to Mourinho's jibe.
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Topics: Paul Pogba, Football News, Jose Mourinho, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Virgil Van Dijk, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool FC
