The Manchester United manager José Mourinho has been charged with misconduct over comments he made about the referee Anthony Taylor prior to the game against Liverpool, the Football Association has announced.

Mourinho, a serial offender when it comes to the FA’s disciplinary unit, broke the rules forbidding members of his profession from speaking about referees in the buildup to matches, questioning whether it would be difficult for Taylor to have “a very good performance” when United visited Liverpool earlier this month.

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Although Mourinho kept his remarks brief, he was breaking the FA regulations stipulating managers and players should not make pre-match comments about referees so there could be no suggestion of them trying to influence the officials.

“I think Mr Taylor is a very good referee but because such pressure is being put on him I think it will be difficult for him to have a very good performance at Anfield,” he said. “I don’t really want to say too much more on the matter. I have my view but I have learned a lesson, if you want to call it that, by being punished so many times for my words about referees.”

The FA confirmed on Thursday that Mourinho would be charged for his comments after breaking FA rules, and as a result “brought the game into disrepute”. The governing body’s statement read: “José Mourinho has been charged with misconduct in respect of comments he made relating to the appointed match referee, prior to the Liverpool v Manchester United fixture on Monday 17 October 2016.

“It is alleged his comments were improper and/or brought the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3(1). Mr Mourinho has until 6pm on Monday 31 October 2016 to respond to the charge.” Taylor handed out four bookings in total, all to United players, during the 0-0 draw at Anfield, with Mourinho praising his performance afterwards.

“Can I speak about the referee without being punished?” he asked the club’s press officer. After being given the go-ahead, the Portuguese added: “He had a good game and I am happy for him because people with responsibilities put a lot of pressure on him and it was very difficult for him to have a good performance, which he had.”

However, it is the comments made before the game that have got Mourinho into bother. New rules were introduced in 2009 in an attempt to crack down on pre-match comments about officials which could be viewed as intimidatory or influential.

In its statement at the time, the FA said: “Clubs are being advised that any media comments by managers, players or any other club officials relating to appointed match officials prior to a fixture will no longer be allowed – such pre-match comments will be deemed improper and dealt with accordingly.”