Liverpool’s coach Jurgen Klopp hails his biggest rival Pep Guardiola ahead of their last encounter in the premier.
Jurgen Klopp praised Pep Guardiola as the finest manager of his generation in his pre-match press conference on Friday, as he readies his Liverpool squad for what may mark the culmination of their enthralling rivalry.
Despite Manchester City securing five of the past six Premier League titles, Liverpool has emerged as their primary adversary over the past decade, seizing the championship in 2020.
As both teams once again vie for the top spot, with Liverpool narrowly leading by a solitary point, Klopp, aged 56, commended Guardiola’s excellence across various facets, particularly as City pursues another remarkable treble.
“I know that, I do the job myself so I see excellence when I face it and Pep is definitely that so it’s just so many different things over the years he did with his teams,” Klopp told reporters on Friday.
“How can I judge managers from the past? But in my lifetime he’s the outstanding manager, definitely.”
Klopp, set to leave his role as Liverpool manager at the end of the season, boasts a winning record against Guardiola, having emerged victorious 12 times in their 29 encounters, compared to Guardiola’s 11.
“In this moment I have a positive record against Pep,” he said. “I have no clue how that happened to be honest but it is all fine.
“I know I’m quite good at what I’m doing as well. I don’t want to sound like somebody who is happy to be here but you ask me about the best and for me he is the best.”
Speaking at his own press conference, Guardiola expressed anticipation for potentially facing Klopp for the last time, although there remains a possibility of their teams meeting in the FA Cup.
“Always it was a pleasure — and Sunday will be too but we will try to win the game,” said the City boss.
“The way his teams play football, always you learn,” he said. “The way they play, the teams play.”
“He is a man who loves football,” said the 53-year-old. “His passion is there. He explained perfectly the reason why (he is leaving).
“In the Premier League it’s the last time but maybe in the FA Cup, we can find (each other) and we will see.”
