‘You have VAR ignoring things like Salah’: Jose Mourinho reflects on UCL quarterfinal action (VIDEO)

Jose Mourinho has given his frank insight on this week’s action from the UEFA Champions League quarter final ties, covering the crucial controversies and talking points while keeping one eye on the second leg.

Talking to RT in his role as a pundit, Mourinho discussed the positives and negative impact of VAR decisions, a seemingly ever-present topic of discussion in football, beginning with Barcelona’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Barca's Luis Suarez evaded the United defense to place a 13th minute header across David De Gea’s goal which deflected off United defender Luke Shaw and into the net from a pinpoint Lionel Messi cross. Barcelona's celebrations were initially halted by the linesman’s flag, but a VAR review eventually ruled the goal should stand.

“I saw immediately even before the replay that it was a goal,” two-time Champions League winner Mourinho said of the incident. “The VAR was great. Because the linesman made a mistake. A human mistake.”

That moment proved pivotal as Suarez’s nodded effort turned out to be the only goal of the game, and United now have a mountain to climb should they have any hope of reaching the semifinals.

Turning his attention to Liverpool’s 2-0 home win against Porto the previous night, Mourinho highlighted the dangerous tackle by Liverpool star man Mo Salah on Danilo Pereira. Many deemed the Egyptian winger lucky to stay on the field after planting his studs high on Pereira’s leg, which shockingly escaped the referee’s attention and a VAR review.

Mourinho said: “But you also have the VAR ignoring things that you don’t even need a replay. It’s Salah. It hurts me a little bit to say because I love the kid and I know he’s very pure.”