Mourinho believes Liverpool’s Leicester draw was the point they lost their nerve

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Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has had his say on Liverpool’s faltering Premier League title challenge, suggesting the Reds lost their nerve after the recent draw with Leicester City.

Liverpool slipped up again last weekend by drawing 0-0 with Everton, with Manchester City beating Bournemouth 1-0 the day before.

It means Pep Guardiola’s side are now a point ahead in the title race with nine games to go.

At the turn of the year, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds were 10 points clear but an 11-point swing for the Citizens has them now playing catch up.

In the eyes of Mourinho, sacked by United back in December, Liverpool’s 1-1 with the Foxes on January 30 was the first sign of nerves creeping in.

‘When they lose one, you must win the next one’

He said on beIN Sports, quoted by The Mirror: “I had that little feeling when City lost a match and Liverpool drew at home. These are the matches where you have to do it and get that opportunity.

“When they lose one, you must win the next one. Liverpool lost a few opportunities.

“City lost and the next day they got the positive energy back because Liverpool drew.”

Mourinho may well have a point – following that result, Liverpool then went on to draw three of the next five games. They may not have lost any, but have certainly been stuttering.

It was a game they were supposed to win after City’s shock slip-up against Newcastle United at home.

Frustratingly for Reds supporters, their side took the lead against Leicester but were pegged back by a Harry Maguire equaliser. In the second half, they simply couldn’t break their opponents down – something that has been worryingly common in the ensuing games since (barring Watford).