Before Liverpool vs Manchester City, the unexpected praise that Pep Guardiola sends to Klopp

Manchester City and Liverpool FC face each other in the most attractive match of this season. Klopp's English team is firmly positioned as one of the candidates in this Premier League. However, Pep Guardiola and company hope to respond forcefully and establish why they are the current champions. Before the match, the unexpected praise that Pep sends to Klopp is surprising.

The rivalry between Klopp and Guardiola in Europe began to translate into a titanic fight for the Premier between 2019 and 2022. The first of those years was won by City in an epic battle in which Guardiola's men added 98 points and Klopp's men 97. The year of the pandemic was overwhelming for those from Merseyside, who led the Manchester team by 18 points, while in 2021, it was the other way around. The Spanish coach's team was 17 points ahead of the German coach.

Manchester City hosts Liverpool, two teams that have been competing for the main national and international titles for eight years. Pep Guardiola took stock of this rivalry, as well as his relationship with Jürgen Klopp, his particular bête noire. On Sunday it will be Manchester United's turn to follow the River Mersey as it passes through the south of Manchester to its mouth in Liverpool. There, Everton has received a punishment from the Premier League after failing to comply with the English league's sustainability and profitability standards.

Pep Guardiola's words to Klopp

“It makes me a better coach, it's part of having been in this job for so many years. He and his teams, here and in Dortmund, have always been great rivals with good games for both, always attractive and with a positive mentality. He made me a better coach with his teams and with his way of playing. The transitions they make, the space they create behind, Núñez, Salah… they have a fantastic team, there is no doubt about it,” Manchester City said.