Will Mourinho change his tactics? (Picture: Getty)
Will Mourinho change his tactics? (Picture: Getty)

Former Liverpool star John Aldridge believes Jose Mourinho will approach Saturday’s clash at Anfield the same as he always does in big games.

Manchester United have started the season in swashbuckling form, scoring 21 goals in their opening seven matches, and are level with bitter city rivals Manchester City on points at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are languishing in seventh place and have failed to keep a clean sheet since August.

Mourinho is known for keeping things tight in big away games, with last season’s 0-0 draw in the same fixture a prime example of his approach away from home against the stronger sides.

Klopp’s side have struggled to keep clean sheets (Picture: Getty)

But with United looking devastating in attack and Liverpool leaky in defence, it was thought that he might adopt a more offensive outlook this time around.

Aldridge is not convinced, though. And he’s certain Mourinho will be out to make life physical and difficult for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

‘I’ve seen some suggestions that United might come to Anfield to attack, that Mourinho might take the shackles off them and go for the throat. Get real,’ he wrote for the Liverpool Echo.

Lukaku has led United’s attack well (Picture: AFP/Getty)

‘There is a zero per cent chance of that happening, trust me! It just isn’t in Mourinho’s make up.

‘His way is to spoil, to slow the game down and try to frustrate their opponents. Say what you like about him, and he’s not my cup of tea as you’ll know, but he does it well.

‘You look at the players he’s signed for United, and it tells its own story. They’re all six foot four, built like you-know-whats, and they all know how to mix it.

‘[Romelu] Lukaku, [Eric] Bailly, [Nemanja] Matic, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic – it’s clear what Mourinho wants; a powerful, physical team that can battle and scrap with anyone.

‘That’s a challenge for Liverpool, and one they’ll have to overcome first and foremost. If they want to play, they’ll have to earn it.

‘Despite that, I still see vulnerabilities in United’s defence. I know their record on paper is good, but they can be got at. [David] De Gea is a great ‘keeper but he’s needed more than Mourinho would like, I’m sure.’

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