On Sunday, Manchester City and Liverpool meet at the Etihad Stadium in a Premier League summit battle that could decide the title and set the tone for the rest of the season.
After Liverpool – who was once 14 points behind Manchester City – aggressively pursued their opponents, only one point separates the two sides that have dominated English football in recent years.
In recent seasons, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have been involved in some epic battles, most notably in 2018/19, when Manchester pipped Liverpool to the title by a single point despite Liverpool’s record points haul.
Manchester City aiming for a treble, Liverpool for a quadruple
Next week, the two sides will clash in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley, and they may possibly meet in the Champions League final.
Liverpool is striving for an unprecedented quadruple, while Manchester City is attempting to repeat Manchester United’s famed treble of 1999.
The stakes couldn’t possibly be much greater.
Liverpool won the English Premier League for the first time in 30 years in 2020, finishing 18 points ahead of Manchester City. Klopp believes Manchester City’s excellence has aided his side’s resurgence as title contenders.
“I wouldn’t say I’m thankful that City is that good but it didn’t deny our development,” said the German, whose side have not won in the league at the Etihad since 2015.
“The last four years since we stepped up a little bit and could close the gap to City is interesting.
“We pushed each other to incredible points tallies. Madness. I would have never thought these kind of things were possible, especially not in this league.”
After a ruthless 10-game winning streak in the league, Klopp’s men are breathing into Manchester City’s necks, and leapfrogging them on Sunday would be a huge psychological blow.
However, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says that the competition will be far from over, regardless of the outcome, as the team seeks a record-tying 20th English league title.
Guardiola believes his battle with Klopp is the most severe he has faced in his brilliant managerial career, as he seeks his fourth Premier League title in five years.
When he was managing Barcelona and Real Madrid, the Manchester City manager famously fought with Jose Mourinho.
Nonetheless, he believes that the degree of competition Manchester City has had from Liverpool in recent years is a step above anything he has faced.
“In the last five years they have been the biggest opponent,” said Guardiola ahead of Sunday’s eagerly anticipated clash.
“They have been an incredible, marvellous contender, with good games. I admire Liverpool and the way they do it but enjoy the challenge.
“Jurgen, as a manager, has been the biggest rival I’ve ever had in my career and I think what both teams propose is good for football.”
Guardiola quipped that if Manchester City win, he would gladly have a bottle of wine with Klopp after the game.
“If we win I’d love it,” he said.
“I’ll invite him. And he’s said many times that we’re a rich club so the wine will be perfect, high quality.”
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