From the ‘Normal One’ to the ‘Special One’?

When Jurgen Klopp made a Jose Mourinho reference in his first-ever press conference as Liverpool manager he could never have imagined the Portuguese possibly succeeding him nine years later.

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Mourinho's odds on being the next Liverpool manager were slashed after he watched their win over FulhamCredit: Getty

Klopp declared himself the 'Normal One' in 2015 after he was asked how he compares to Mourinho, who famously labelled himself as the 'Special One' in 2004.

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Ironically Mourinho's links to Anfield had started even before his lavish arrival at Stamford Bridge two decades ago.

When first approached by then-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich when he was at Porto, he made it clear he preferred the challenge of restoring Liverpool to their former glory.

Mourinho said: "Liverpool are a team that interests everyone and Chelsea does not interest me so much because it is a new project with lots of money invested in it."

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The 61-year-old was ultimately seduced by Chelsea and unveiled on June 2, 2004 - just 14 days before Liverpool announced Rafa Benitez.

Now following a whirlwind 20 years, the odds on Mourinho finally joining Liverpool have been slashed.

He was spotted taking in the club's 3-1 away win at Fulham at Craven Cottage just hours before his compatriot was seemingly ruled out of the running.

Ruben Amorim has become the latest managerial target Liverpool have struggled to agree terms with to replace Klopp following an ill-fated pursuit of Xabi Alonso.

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Liverpool announcing Mourinho as Klopp's successor would be hugely controversialCredit: AFP

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Mourinho could not resist winding the Liverpool fans up after Chelsea drew level in the finalCredit: Sky Sports

While former Reds midfielder Alonso was the dream of many fans, the man who first tipped him to be a managerial great has an Anfield vision of his own.

That is despite Mourinho making himself public enemy No 1 at Anfield almost as soon as he got down to work at Chelsea.

He shushed Liverpool fans during the 2005 Carling Cup final, with an own-goal from Steven Gerrard helping secure his first trophy in English football.

Reds icon Gerrard then found himself at the centre of the fierce Mourinho-Benitez rivalry that spanned two Champions League semi-finals, the FA Cup semi-finals, and of course, the Premier League.

Mourinho infamously also made several public pursuits to prize Gerrard away from his boyhood club.

He said: “I tried to bring him to Chelsea, I tried to bring him to Inter, I tried to bring him to Real Madrid, but he was always a dear enemy.

I was dreaming of having Claude Makelele, Gerrard and Frank Lampard in midfield.”

Gerrard himself later admitted he would have signed three times if he 'wasn't a Liverpool fan' following the promise of the game's biggest prizes.

In a cruel twist of fate, Mourinho then proved to be the manager to deny the former England captain the trophy he coveted most.

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Mourinho never held back from celebrating near RafaCredit: AFP - Getty

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Mourinho kept the ball and then the title out of Gerarrd's reach in 2014Credit: Getty

In 2014, Liverpool were seemingly on the cusp of ending what would have been a 24-year wait for a league title when Demba Ba punished a Gerrard slip to set Chelsea on their way to a decisive 2-0 win.

Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mourinho explained: "We were on the bus and the guys outside were selling shirts with 'Liverpool Champions' on, and you can't allow that as Chelsea.

Of course, Stevie G slipped, and he was the last person who deserved that to happen, but that's part of football and in reality we played so well."

The result effectively handed Manchester City the Premier League title, and ironically it would now be Mourinho's job to wrestle it back.

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Mourinho brought Salah to England in 2014Credit: Getty Images

The first of his big decisions should he take the reigns at Anfield would be the future of Mohamed Salah.

talkSPORT revealed this month Liverpool are bracing for a fresh approach from Saudi Arabia for Salah as he approaches the final 12 months of his contract.

Mourinho memorably was at Chelsea during the Egyptian's first spell in England but hit out at claims he was the one who sold him.

“When people say ‘you let Salah go’, I say exactly the opposite,” added Mourinho.

He was going from Basel to Liverpool, and I made a fight.

I made a war to make him come to Chelsea.

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“Then comes the part to be a Chelsea player, you need to perform or have to wait.

That was not me.”

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Salah curiously started the Gerrard slip game - for Chelsea - that ended in Liverpool title heartbreak and Mourinho running down the Anfield touchline beating his chest.

Should similar scenes occur in Liverpool red ten years later, it would be far from normal but an epic final chapter for a 'Special One'...


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