Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp have a healthy rivalry. At the helm of Manchester City and Liverpool respectively, the two teams that compete for the Premier League title season after season, the two coaches maintain a deep mutual respect. She proved that again on Friday at a press conference, two days before the game between the first two in the Premier League position on Sunday (5:30 pm).
† Pep is the best coach in the world. I think we can all agree on that and it is certainly a coincidence that he has not succeeded in the Champions League so far. Reds coach Klopp said, referring to Guardiola’s failed European quest since 2016 and his arrival on the Mancunian bench.
Pep Guardiola with Bernardo Silva during Manchester City’s loss to Chelsea in the Champions League final, May 29, 2021. (S. Stacpoole/Presse Sports)
Two days before a much-anticipated game, the German technician thinks City are the toughest opponent to face. † There is no game in the world like the one developed by City, as they are good at just about every part of the game and have no real weaknesses. †
A mutually beneficial rivalry
Klopp’s men, who remain on ten consecutive league wins, are just one point behind the Sky Blues eight games from the end of the season. Despite this momentum, the Liverpool manager remains cautious and believes Sunday’s game will not be decisive regardless of the outcome. † If we lose, we’ll be on four points. And if people think it’s over then I can’t help it, but I know no one at City will see it that way “Outside the German coach.
23
This will be the 23rd meeting in all competitions between Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp. As it stands, the record is perfectly balanced between the two men: 9 wins each and 4 draws.
Klopp also recalled how the rivalry with the Citizens had propelled the two teams forward and taken them to another dimension. † We pushed each other to an incredible number of points. insanity. I never thought such a thing was possible, especially in this championship.t,” admitted the former Borussia Dortmund coach.
“Liverpool? My biggest rival”
Guardiola, on the other hand, sees his Liverpool counterpart as his ” biggest rival † Jürgen as a manager is the biggest rival I’ve ever had in my career and I think what both teams offer is good for football. I will remember my time here when I retire to golf. I will remember that my biggest rival was Liverpool, that’s for sure. †
A win for the Sky Blues this weekend would be a big step towards preserving their title. But if Liverpool win, the Reds will take the lead in the league. However, the ex-Barca coach wanted to minimize the importance of Sunday’s game: ” These three points will be very important, but there will still be seven games, 21 points and a lot of things with the Champions League and the FA Cup he stated.
Following this match, City and Liverpool will meet at least once more, in the FA Cup semi-final on 16 April. The two teams can also meet in the Champions League final on May 28 at the Stade de France.
