Jurgen Klopp praised Pep Guardiola in a fantastic response to the Manchester City manager’s recent comments on the Liverpool boss.
We are definitely moving away from an era where title-chasing managers create a hostile environment and take swipes at each other. Here we have two of the best managers in world football patting each other on the back and getting along in the media ahead of one of the most exciting-looking season finales.
The Premier League title race is set to go down the wire if the two teams at the top continue their stunning form. Liverpool recently beat West Ham to keep the pressure on Manchester City, who thrashed Manchester United at the Etihad.
Following Man City’s win over their cross-town rivals, Guardiola hailed Liverpool as his toughest career opponent. The Catalan boss said the rivalry has helped improve his team and increase their levels.
He also reserved special praise for Klopp, calling him one of the best managers and rivals of the modern game. Now the Liverpool boss has responded with comments of his own, praising Guardiola for his impact on football in general.
? "I can give that back. I don't think City would get the amount of points they will get this year if we wouldn't be around, and the other way around is the same."
Jurgen Klopp responds to Pep Guardiola saying Liverpool is the "toughest opponent he has ever faced" pic.twitter.com/MNt3Z0ZjLo
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 7, 2022
Klopp was quoted by the Liverpool Echo, as the manager suggested Man City’s rivalry has pushed both teams to ‘insane’ levels and certainly helped improve the game’s overall quality.
Klopp said, “Yeah, but I can give that back easily! I could say City are the toughest opponent I have ever had, but I should not forget I faced him already at Bayern, so I can’t say it was much easier.
“But I know what he means. We pushed each other on to insane levels last few years. Of course, we couldn’t cope with it last year for obvious reasons, but we were really around for other years. I don’t think City would get the amount of points they would get this year if we weren’t around, and the other way about pretty much the same. It’s good. But there a lot of games to play and we will see where we end up.”
Liverpool sit six points behind Man City with a game in hand over their title rivals. The two teams will meet at the Etihad for a potential title-deciding clash on 10th April, and the neutrals will be hoping their current form continues until then.
