Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho starts mind games ahead of Liverpool showdown as he claims rival Jurgen Klopp 'is not so calm as I am'

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Jose Mourinho claims he can keep his cool better than Jurgen Klopp as Manchester United and Liverpool prepare to do battle at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Klopp has drawn comparisons between the two rival managers ahead of what remains the biggest game in English football, saying they ‘have the same kind of angriness’.

However, Mourinho believes he is calmer than the Liverpool boss who is known for his animated histrionics on the touchline.

Jose Mourinho was in a relaxed mood ahead of Manchester United's clash with Liverpool

The Portuguese manager was all smiles on Friday ahead of facing the Reds at Old Trafford

‘I’m not sure he is so calm as I am,’ said Mourinho. ‘No, I just think we like to win like every manager likes to win. Everyone has his own personality, his own style of coaching, of leading.

‘Probably we have some qualities that are similar – for sure we have other qualities that make us really different persons and managers. Looking to this match he wants to play the game as much as me and is as motivated as me.’

Mourinho was reminded of the moment his emotions got the better of him in March 2004 when he introduced himself to English football by sprinting down the touchline and sliding on his knees at Old Trafford after Francisco Costinha scored a late equaliser for Porto to knock United out of the Champions League.

‘Yeah I can run,’ he added. ‘The problem is to score a winning goal in the last minute. But, yes, I can still run, it’s no problem.

Mourinho believes he is more composed than Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp on the sideline

Klopp did get a bit animated as his side lost 1-0 to Southampton on Wednesday night

Mourinho was reminded of the time his emotions got the better of him at Old Trafford in 2004

‘There are so many big matches, I wouldn’t say I’m nervous. No not at all. But that desire to play, that desire that the match be tomorrow and not Sunday. I have to wait two days for this game.

‘That is the same and it’s the same for the players. The ones that are playing are happy, the ones that are on the bench aren’t.

‘No-one is nervous. Everybody wants the game. I am sure Jurgen is the same and Liverpool players, so let’s make a big match and let’s hope outside the stadium everything goes well.’

Mourinho expects both top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic and defender Marcos Rojo to be fit for the game. Ibrahimovic has been suffering from a head cold while Rojo picked up a muscle injury in the FA Cup win over Reading last weekend.

Mourinho says that he expects to have top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic back fit for Sunday

Defender Marcos Rojo should also be available after going off injured in the FA Cup 

‘I think so,’ said the United manager when asked if the pair would be fit. ‘I cannot confirm because there is two days left, but they are closer to being ready than not ready.’

Mourinho also warned clubs interested in Memphis Depay that he will not be sold on the cheap or allowed out on loan this month. Everton and Lyon have both expressed an interest in the unsettled Holland winger but fallen short of United’s £15million valuation.

‘The offer we had is far from being reasonable for us,’ said Mourinho. ‘He is our player. If nothing happens he is one more (player) for us.’ 

The Portuguese boss has warned clubs that Memphis Depay will not be sold on the cheap