Jürgen Klopp has been ‘suffering’ Guardiola for years. “If my personality was different I would be depressed. At Dortmund I could have won more titles if Pep hadn’t been at Bayern and Liverpool for a few more leagues. They are a crazy football team and he is the best coach in the world.” A German coach who has also captivated Guardiola told the Premier: “He has made me a better coach. He made me reflect a lot. He is an inspiration for me.”
The two describe the other as the “toughest opponent they have faced” in a clash of styles that has been blurred through 22 battles in which they are ‘even’ (nine wins for each). Liverpool have put some possession and pause in their rock and City run and play fast in various movements of their symphony. And with this melody in the background, on the ‘football’ table, they have challenged each other in an eternal pulse for the Premier that will have a new chapter at the Etihad.
One point separates the leader from the contender eight days from the end and before a ‘great match’ that has become a ‘classic’ in the last five years. Nobody better than Pep to explain it: “We have helped raise the standards of the Premier. We won the League with 100 points (2018) and after doing it with 98 (Liverpool was second in 2019 with 97) they conquered it with 99 (2020). ). This is the level.” Although the balance of alirones is uneven (three for the ‘celeste’ and one for the ‘Pool’ since 2017) both have broken all limits.
We have helped raise the standards of the Premier. We won the League with 100 points (2018) and after doing it with 98 (Liverpool was second in 2019 with 97) they won it with 99 (2020). This is the level
“It’s crazy how we’ve put pressure on each other. The thing that helps the most in sport is having a very strong opponent. I won’t say I’m grateful to City for being so good… but they’ve helped us improve. I’m sure Nadal and Federer they really enjoyed their rivalry,” added Klopp. The figures they have reached are the highest ever in English football, in addition to sharing the record for consecutive wins (18). “We have shown that we can chain unbelievable streaks. They can win 17 games in a row and so can we“, Guardiola pointed out drawing how his ‘head to head’ has been in this Premier for 30 days.
two slumps
After some early stages without major differences and their draw (2-2) at Anfield did not change practically anything, City added 12 consecutive wins between November and January with which He escaped from the lead by 11 points from a Liverpool that spent several acts with one game less in his locker [ver gráfico]. The Christmas slips (draws against Tottenham (2-2) and Chelsea (2-2) and defeat (1-0) in Leicester) took the ‘reds’ away from the head before some of their clashes in… 14 points!
It’s crazy how we’ve pushed ourselves. What helps the most in sport is having a very strong rival. I won’t say that I thank City for being so good… but they have helped us improve. I’m sure Nadal and Federer enjoyed their rivalry a lot.
However, the 10 wins in a row since January of the ‘Pool’ and the ‘cityzens’ errors (matched against Southampton (1-1) and Crystal Palace (0-0) and setbacks (2-3) against the ‘spurs’) They have brought them within an inch. “We cannot give up an inch. To continue in the race we have to win and win,” warned a Klopp who does not believe that the game will decide the Premier.
Pep never doubted that they could catch up. “We can’t lose any game. If we don’t feel that pressure, we won’t be champions,” said a Guardiola who knows what he’s talking about. In 2018-19, City lifted the Premier on the last day with a point advantage over Liverpool after winning their last 14 games! The ‘reds’ did it in the final nine… but it wasn’t enough. This League is on the way to also decide by ‘photo finish’ and overcoming the barrier of 90. Can not it be a different way.
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The eternal pulse for the Premier between City and Liverpool: “If Pep wasn’t there…”