Pep Guardiola says he will miss his battles with Jurgen Klopp but believes tomorrow’s (Sunday) showdown at Anfield may not be their last dance.
Guardiola thinks Klopp will be not be able to resist a return to management once he has re-charged his batteries after leaving Liverpool at the end of the season and they could resume their rivalry in the future.
Manchester City’s visit to Anfield will be the 30th and possibly last head-to-head encounter of two of the best managers of their generation – although they could meet one more time this season at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final or final if they both come through their sixth round ties next weekend.
Guardiola has spoken to Klopp and thinks the German’s passion for the game will mean he will not be able to stay away after his sabbatical.
Klopp, 57, has been touted as a future boss of Germany while Guardiola, 53, has, in the past, hinted at an interest in being an international manager.
“I respect completely his decision, “ he said. “I spoke with him and had the feeling that he will be back sooner or later. He loves football and he explained perfectly the reason why [he is leaving.] He’s still young and I’m still young.”
Guardiola says that Klopp and the quality of his Liverpool team have made him a better manager and he will miss the competitive rivalry between them and their teams who have been involved in some memorable title races in recent years.
“It was always a pleasure and it will be tomorrow as well,” he added. “It’s the way they play. He doesn’t play but the way he makes his teams play football you always learn.”
Klopp has won every major trophy in his nine seasons at Anfield but Guardiola does not think his departure will not make his job at the Etihad any easier because will leave Liverpool set up to be title contenders in the years ahead while Arsenal have emerged as serious contenders and he expects Tottenham and Manchester United to improve next season.
“I would like to think [it will be easier] but I don’t think so,” he said. “Liverpool have always been Liverpool and the contenders are there.
“Arsenal is already there, last season they were our biggest rivals. Look how they play. Liverpool need more than 90 minutes to win the game, Arsenal sometimes need 25 minutes to win the games. That’s why sometimes they are there.
“Tottenham will make a step forward and United will maybe be back having maybe one game a week.
Despite all his success at City, Guardiola has only won once at Anfield in his eight years and that was in an empty stadium during the Covid lockdown in 2020-21 when an injury-hit Liverpool bizarrely lost six successive home games.
He admits the raucous home crowd has been a factor in City’s poor record there but the main reason has been the quality of their opponents.
“The crowd of course is a reason but especially the quality of the team,” he said. “It has always been nice and we accept the challenge.”
Guardiola says he and Klopp have had little time to socialise over the years but he says they will get together once they are no longer rivals.
“Sometimes [we meet] in the corridor before the press conference [after games] and we spent time together with our families when we were honoured to get in the Hall of Fame but in terms of lunch or dinners, it never happened.
“We have to decide who pays, that’s why we didn’t do it! But I think it’s going to happen sooner or later, I would love it.”
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
