Jose Mourinho believes Liverpool vs Manchester United referee Anthony Taylor will find it difficult to manage Premier League showdown
Taylor lives just six miles from Old Trafford and on average books more of Jurgen Klopp's players more than any other Premier League side
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ANTHONY TAYLOR will find it impossible to do a good job in Monday's Anfield blockbuster.
The Manchester United boss believes the whistler could be influenced after copping abuse from angry Liverpool supporters.
They cannot believe Taylor is in charge of the mega-clash as he lives just SIX MILES from Old Trafford.
Mourinho said: “I think somebody is intentionally putting pressure on him. It will be difficult for him to have a very good performance. Mr Taylor is a very good referee.
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“I have my view on it but I don’t want to say anything as I have learned a lesson after being punished so many times.”
The FA could still hit Mourinho with a disciplinary charge as managers are not allowed to speak about referees before games.
But the Special One clearly feels Taylor’s judgement could be affected by the furore, and he may take a tougher view on United when it comes to borderline incidents.
United also feel the controversy could have been easily avoided with the appointment of a referee who did not live so close to Old Trafford — Taylor’s home is in Altrincham. England’s top referee Mark Clattenburg, who was in charge of last season’s Champions League final, is not officiating at any game this weekend.
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Taylor has given Liverpool more yellow cards per game than their opponents during the Premier League matches he has been in charge of, and has also dished out two red cards.
He has given United no red cards and statistically gives them far fewer bookings per game.
Taylor’s appointment, which is made by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), was slated by former top whistler Keith Hackett.
Sun ref Mark Halsey also called it ‘strange’ and added: “The PGMOL are not helping themselves. If anything happens there will be questions about the appointment.”