Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hailed the impact of his Manchester City opposite number Pep Guardiola as they both get ready to cross paths in a top-of-the-league clash on Sunday (Mar 10). The meeting at Anfield will be the 30th time Guardiola and Klopp shake hands at the dugout in what could be the final meeting between the managers in English football. Ahead of the clash, Klopp heaped praise on Guardiola in the press conference calling him the “best manager in the world” with eyes now firmly on the Premier League title race.
Jurgen Klopp Press Conference
“Pep is the best manager in the world. In my lifetime, he’s the outstanding manager”.
“The way he influenced football. Many trophies won but he behaves like he’s never won anything… the desire is outstanding”.
“I see excellence. Pep is definitely that,” Liverpool manager Klopp said in his pre-match conference on Friday.
In the 29 meetings between the managers, it is the German who has the upper hand with 12 wins while Guardiola has 11 wins at the same time. The rivalry dates back to the duo’s meetings during their time in Germany where Klopp was the inspiration behind Borussia Dortmund’s success before Guardiola started his reign at Bayern Munich in 2013.
The duo’s first meeting was the DFL-Supercup where Klopp’s Dortmund won 4-2 beating Guardiola’s European champion side in July 2013. Since then the Klopp-Guardiola rivalry has taken the spotlight in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and the League Cup.
Jurgen Klopp defends Trent Alexander-Arnold in his press conference
The rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool has dominated the headlines in recent times which has gained the attention of the worldwide audience. Players are also not holding back and have fired words ahead of the big game. Earlier speaking to Four Four Two, Alexander-Arnold took a dig at Manchester City and their model of success. According to him Liverpool’s trophies and fanbase mean a lot than City’s spending which has seen them attract big players and win several honours.
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Despite facing a backlash from Manchester media, Klopp has defended his player stating he has said nothing ‘wrong’ and backed him ahead of the clash.
“Nothing wrong with what he said”.
“One of our slogans is ‘this means more’ and it means more to us… when we’re feeling that, why shouldn’t we say it”.
“It’s just how he feels and I have no problem. I’m pretty sure he showed respect,” Klopp added during his pre-match press conference.
Premier League high-voltage clash
Sunday’s clash will be a feast for the Premier League fans with Arsenal fans also keeping a close eye on the contest. While either or both teams will drop points Arsenal will have the opportunity to narrow the gap at the top of the Premier League standings. A win for City will see them go top of the Premier League while a win for Liverpool can see them open a four-point gap at the top.
In case, the Manchester City-Liverpool clash ends in a draw and Arsenal win their match against Brentford at home, it will be the Gunners who will end the matchday at the top of the Premier League standings.
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