Jurgen Klopp has dismissed rumors of a rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City, with the German boss telling Pep Guardiola the ‘excellent manager of my life’.
The two teams will go head to head at Anfield on Sunday in a titanic battle for the title, with the winner of the match able to make a big statement and move top of the table with ten games to go. Arsenal are also well in the mix and will hope to gain ground on at least one side this weekend.
City and Liverpool have played several spirited matches during the Guardiola and Klopp era, with the clubs’ fans often clashing outside the stadiums. But Klopp has dismissed any suggestions of rivalry and instead praised City’s manager.
“He is the best manager in the world,” Klopp said of Guardiola. ‘(City) have incredible players. Probably the best No. 9 (Erling Haaland). Kevin De Bruyne will go down in history as: ‘Was it Steven Gerrard or Kevin De Bruyne?’.
‘The way Guardiola influenced football. He wins the number of trophies he has won, but when you see him he behaves as if he has never won anything – the desire is excellent. I see excellence. Pep certainly is. He has been the outstanding manager in my lifetime.
Jurgen Klopp (left) has labeled Pep Guardiola (right) ‘the best manager in the world’ ahead of their title clash
Klopp’s Liverpool and Guardiola’s Man City will do battle in a bid to progress in the title race
Klopp praised Guardiola for his influence on football and the number of trophies he has won
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‘I have never been frustrated (by people saying Guardiola is a better manager). I knew about 3,000 footballers who were better than me, but I still loved the game. He made me a better manager. I know I’m pretty good at what I do. I know I’m not bad, but he’s the best.’
Guardiola was speaking at the City Football Academy at the same time and said: ‘I fully respect his decision (to leave Liverpool). He likes soccer. His passion is there. In the Premier League it is the last time (we meet), but there is the FA Cup.”
Klopp has a relatively clean bill of health going into the match, especially given the injury crisis that has threatened to derail Liverpool’s title bid in recent weeks, although the Reds are still sweating on the fitness of key defender Ibrahima Konate.
The Frenchman limped off during Liverpool’s 5-1 win over Sparta Prague on Thursday evening, but it was thought this was more of a precautionary measure. Klopp said: ‘I don’t know. He was quite positive last night, although he made the right decision at the right time.
‘But that doesn’t mean much. We’ve had a scan, but I don’t have the results yet.’ Konate, who has excelled in big games against Manchester United and Arsenal this season, would be a big loss for Klopp but he is confident young Jarell Quansah can step up if needed.
Liverpool are sweating on the condition of Ibrahima Konate (left), who went off injured in Thursday’s Europa League match against the Reds
However, Klopp has expressed his confidence in Jarell Quansah and is backing the defender to step up if necessary
The 21-year-old only made his senior debut in August – coming off the bench at Newcastle when captain Virgil van Dijk was sent off – but has flourished since. Klopp is said to be surprised by his development since his loan spell at Bristol Rovers last season.
“(Jarell is) huge, huge,” Klopp added. “He just left, he just came back and it’s not like everyone in the club said, ‘Yes, he’s the next big thing. He immediately showed that he wants to be part of the team and every session it is a pleasure, a pure pleasure to have him.”