Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho arrives at Lowry Hotel clutching merchandise ahead of Liverpool clash

JOSE MOURINHO geared up for the crucial clash against Liverpool by bringing in fresh merchandise to the luxury Lowry Hotel.

The 55-year-old is looking to increase the gap over Jurgen Klopp's side, who are currently two points behind Manchester United in third place.

But United's team sponsors Adidas won't be best pleased with Mourinho, who had a Nike item in his bundle as he made his way into the hotel today.

One man that the former Chelsea boss will be hoping will be firing on all cylinders at the Theatre of Dreams is Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian striker has netted in back-to-back games against the Blues and Crystal Palace, leading Mourinho to praise his "phenomenal attitude".

He said of the 24-year-old: "He is an important guy for me. He is one of the guys that I trust. I love the attitude and the character.

"Against Crystal Palace, after our third goal, I told him [to play as a] central defender in a back five with [Chris] Smalling and [Victor] Lindelof because I could not make any more changes.

"So when I say to a striker, 'Go there and do that job for me', then he is a sergeant. He is a guy that you can trust. His attitude is phenomenal.

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"That is why I told you many times that, for me, it is not just about the goals he scores, it is about what he brings to the team.

"And he brings to the team exactly that spirit."

And Lukaku was equally as effusive in praise for the Red Devils boss, claiming he is his "sergeant" when he is on the pitch.

He said: "The manager thinks I’m his sergeant on the pitch.

"I will always put the team first ahead of myself — and that’s something I have told him.

"The work-rate I’m delivering to the team is a lot. Mourinho has been really good to me and he knows I have that soldier mentality."