Jose Mourinho is adamant it is only right that people demand Liverpool win the Premier League as he mocked Jurgen Klopp’s sudden enthusiasm for spending heavily in the transfer market.

Mourinho was at his mischievous best as he warmed to the subject of answering a question about Liverpool’s recruitment this summer, poking fun at Klopp, who once said he would struggle to spend the sort of money their rivals had splashed out on Paul Pogba two years ago.

But there was also a serious message behind Mourinho’s observations as he cranked up the pressure on Klopp to end Liverpool’s trophy drought, suggesting their priority had to be to win the league title for the first time in 28 years.

It was a classic Mourinho move, as he argued it was only fair the weight of expectation increased on Liverpool’s shoulders, but it was also nice to see him smiling. The Portuguese had looked and sounded miserable since United’s tour started last week, but a penalty shootout win over AC Milan appeared to soothe his soul.

“I think if you have the money, if you invest well, it is better than to have it in the bank,” said Mourinho, when asked about the fact Liverpool have spent around £170 million in this window alone. “Because the interest rates are very low.