This Sunday’s fixture between Manchester City and Liverpool at Anfield will be the final meeting between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp in the Premier League. The rivalry between the two teams has pushed the other to a level of football not seen in England before. It is fitting that the final Premier League meeting sees the two teams sitting 1st and 2nd on the league table.
Guardiola and Klopp have raised the standard of the Premier League
Across the past 6 seasons, Manchester City and Liverpool has become one of the biggest rivalries in England. The two teams have shared the past 6 Premier League titles. (Manchester City have won five, Liverpool have claimed one) Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp’s teams have raised the bar with what has been expected to claim the league title. 90 points has now become the mark required to win the Premier League. It is a testament to both managers that the standard is now so high to claim the league title.
It has been Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp who have raised the bar in the Premier League. Their rivalry has featured some of the highest-quality games seen in England. There’s an argument to be made that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side has become so good due to the standard required to compete with City and Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola spoke of his respect for Jurgen Klopp earlier this season. The City boss was asked about the Liverpool manager after Klopp’s end-of-season departure was announced. Guardiola said: “We cannot define our period here without him … without Liverpool. Impossible. They have been our biggest rivals. And personally, he [Klopp] has been the best rival I ever had in my life.”
Jurgen Klopp has previously admitted his admiration for Pep Guardiola. Speaking late in 2022 the Liverpool boss said: “I would prefer Pep to be doing a sabbatical for four years. He’s the best manager in the world and he is proving that all the time, every day, it’s special what they are doing, it’s really special and I respect that.”
The final Premier League meeting between the two rivals has the setting the occasion merits
Sunday’s meeting at Anfield is crucial to both team’s title aspirations. While it won’t define the Premier League title race it is a chance for either side to grab a jump on their rival.
It is this backdrop that will provide the setting for another huge fixture between Manchester City and Liverpool. Given how far the two teams and managers have pushed each other over the past 6 seasons it is the ideal setting for the final Premier League meeting between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
