EPL: Klopp Hails Guardiola Ahead Of Top Of Table Clash

Premier League leaders Liverpool host champions Manchester City on Sunday with both sides chasing history in a huge clash at the top of the table.

With the Carabao Cup already secured, Liverpool are seeking an unprecedented quadruple, while City could become the first team to win back-to-back Trebles.

It could also be a final league meeting between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola.

“I do the job myself so I see excellence when I face it and Pep is definitely that,” said Klopp.

Liverpool and City have won every Premier League title since 2018, with Klopp’s side finishing top in 2020 and Guardiola a five-time winner.

“The way he has influenced football, winning the amount of trophies he was won in his career,” added Klopp. “But if you see him on the touchline he behaves like he has never won before. The desire he has is absolutely outstanding.

“In my lifetime he is the outstanding manager, definitely.”

Though Guardiola and Klopp are familiar foes on the touchline, the pair have not had much chance to meet away from the dugout.

“Sometimes in the corridor before the press conference,” said Guardiola. “When we were honoured to get in the Hall of Fame we spent time with families, but in terms of lunch or dinners, it never happened. We have to decide who pays, that’s why we didn’t do it.

“I think it’s going to happen sooner or later, I would love it.”

Liverpool go into Sunday’s game just one point clear of City and with a superior goal difference of four goals.

But there is a three-way tussle for the trophy this season as Arsenal find themselves in contention after a blistering start to the year.

Mikel Arteta’s side have won their last seven league games to sit just two points behind Liverpool and have a superior goal difference to both sides. If the Gunners beat Brentford on Saturday they will leapfrog both Liverpool and City to the top of the table.

Liverpool have a fine record against Manchester City at Anfield, losing just once at home since 2003 and winning 13 of the last 20 fixtures.

Indeed just two of their last 30 Premier League encounters have been won by the away side.