Liverpool fans will be well aware that this season already looks to be throwing up a title race that we haven’t seen for many years, yet one Premier League rival thinks their side has the edge.

Speaking with the press, Pep Guardiola said: “We are going to win the Premier League.”

READ MORE: (Video) Klopp: ‘I am not sure I will ever coach again’ anyone like his ‘all-time great’

After such a strong run in the league in recent years, you can’t fault the belief from the Spaniard but it’s certainly risky to pile more pressure on his team than they have already.

Winning four titles back-to-back would be a feat that would be impossible not to be impressed by but given the ego of the manager and the FFP charges hanging over them, it will always be tainted.

You can watch Guardiola’s comments via @footballontnt on X:

"We are going to win the Premier League"

Pep Guardiola is confident his team can be the first to win 4⃣ back-to-back Premier League titles… pic.twitter.com/9BkOXOOIA4

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 5, 2023

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Pep Guardiola didn’t need too long to come up with his answer when asked to name the toughest manager he’s ever faced.

Without hesitation, the Manchester City boss replied with his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp, with the two recently sharing the spoils during their Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.

The Spaniard took part in a Saturday Social Q&A for Sky Sports, and upon being asked to identify his hardest-ever managerial opponent, he said: “Jurgen Klopp. First, we’ve faced [each other] a thousand million times at [Borussia] Dortmund and here [Man City].

“Second, because he beat me a lot and that was always a challenge to do it again and again and again. I respect him a lot, because I think his teams always play in Dortmund or in Mainz before or now, in Liverpool, it’s so attractive for spectators, it’s so positive.”

Guardiola added: “We respect each other; at least from my point of view, I respect him a lot and of course, we have argued. I don’t like to be beaten by him but [he] has been my biggest rival for [the] amount of times we’ve played, how difficult it was and the pleasure when you beat him, beat them because you know how difficult it is.

“Not for the pleasure because it’s football and you can win or lose it. It’s part of the game, it’s how difficult it is and we can play bad, good and I like it, that’s all.”

It’s no wonder Guardiola is in awe of what Klopp has done against his teams – the Liverpool boss has inflicted more defeats as a manager on the 52-year-old than anybody else, getting the better of him on 12 previous occasions.

For context, Jose Mourinho is the only other coach (seven) to have scored more than four victories against the current Man City boss (Transfermarkt), which makes the German’s accomplishment all the more remarkable.

Amid the evident rivalry which has built up between us and the Manchester club over the past decade, the managers of both teams evidently hold each other in very high esteem, and with good reason.

You can view Guardiola’s comments on Klopp below (from 9:17), via Sky Sports Premier League on YouTube:

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Alexis Mac Allister has revealed why he was ‘laughing’ at the end of Liverpool’s recent 1-1 draw away to Manchester City.

Immediately after the full-time whistle, Pep Guardiola and Darwin Nunez were seen arguing by the touchline, with Jurgen Klopp restraining the Uruguay striker in an attempt to defuse the situation, which petered out quickly.

The 24-year-old Argentina midfielder was speaking to Clank! when he outlined what was said between the pair to instigate the flashpoint, stating that it was ‘nothing serious’ and he actually found it ‘funny’.

Mac Allister said: “I imagine Jurgen didn’t understand anything (which was said) after the game. He asked me what I was saying to him, but it was nothing. It was something very minimal.

“As Jurgen said, they are two very emotional people, both Pep and Darwin, and it was nothing. Some comment that Pep made, Darwin responded to it, but it wasn’t anything out of this world.

“That’s why I was laughing too. If I see how serious it is, obviously I wouldn’t laugh in that way, but nothing made me laugh a little like how Darwin got angry so quickly. Apart from that, at the beginning, Pep thought he was doing everything like a joke, and of course Darwin was with him. It had transformed his face a little then.”

“It was kind of a little funny, the whole situation, but those are things that stay there. I think they both respect each other a lot, and nothing was wrong at that moment.”

Mac Allister continued: “I don’t know if it was a corner or a cross that [Erling] Haaland headed and the ball went past the goal next to the post. Pep turned around and started saying how lucky we are or something like that.

“Then it goes to the last bit of play, the ball is crossed into the middle and Lucho Diaz wants to head it and they save it. So then Darwin tells him [Guardiola], ‘ah, now you are the ones who are lucky’. From there, everything went to s**t, but it was very calm. Nothing serious.”

READ MORE: (Video) Quansah’s VVD-inspired defending will have Liverpool fans thinking the same thing

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Even before Mac Allister’s revelation, the incident between Nunez and Guardiola didn’t seem like anything major, with the situation cooling quickly and the Man City boss downplaying it when addressing the media afterwards.

That the Liverpool midfielder – who, as a Spanish speaker, would’ve understood what was said between the pair – found it all rather amusing underlines that it was the definition of a storm in a teacup.

Some fans may have been fearing that the Uruguayan’s temper would spill over just as it did when he was sent off for headbutting Joachim Andersen during the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace last season, but thankfully the flashpoint at the Etihad Stadium didn’t see a repeat of that indiscretion.

It was all nothing more than the type of fleeting argument you’d regularly see during matches, and hardly the kind of episode which’d instigate a long-running feud between Nunez and Guardiola.

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Manchester CIty are almost as famous for having terrible fans as they are for cheating with their extortionate and unfair spending, with Pep Guardiola adding support to the ever-growing distaste for the supporters inside the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking with Sky Sports after full-time against Liverpool, the Spaniard was asked why he kept gesturing his fans to make more noise and said: “I wanted some more noise. It’s 12:30 so maybe they are not ready. But maybe we have to play better to encourage this”.

READ MORE: (Video) Neville labels Klopp’s ‘super-influential’ favourite as ‘sensational football player’ after City display

Even if it’s an early kick-off or not, when the two top teams in the league face-off you would expect that the home supporters would be up for it.

Instead, their manager was clearly frustrated and couldn’t hold this back on the touchline and after the game.

You can watch Guardiola’s comments via @SkySportsPL on X:

Pep Guardiola says he wanted 'some more noise' from the Manchester City supporters at the Etihad today pic.twitter.com/GAjFngg7GC

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 25, 2023

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Darwin Nunez and Pep Guardiola were involved in an animated exchange of words at the full-time whistle between Manchester City and Liverpool this afternoon.

Within seconds of the conclusion of today’s 1-1 draw, the Reds attacker and Spanish manager were seen clashing by the touchline.

Jurgen Klopp intervened to try and lead the 24-year-old away from the flashpoint, but the two warring parties continued to exchange some frank views, with finger jabbing aplenty.

Thankfully the incident was extinguished quickly before it escalated into anything which may have landed Nunez or anyone from Liverpool in hot water.

You can view the clash between Nunez and Guardiola below, via @SkySportsPL on X (formerly Twitter):

Darwin Núñez and Pep Guardiola at full-time… pic.twitter.com/gN4RQcWuGu

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 25, 2023

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Pep Guardiola has named three Liverpool players who he believes could pose a threat to his Manchester City side in today’s Premier League clash.

The top two go head-to-head at the Etihad Stadium at 12:30, and the champions’ manager is wary of the damage that the Reds’ forward line could cause to his team.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference on Friday, the 52-year-old said (via Man City on YouTube): “The way we play, for them it’s good because of the transitions. They have a lot of space in behind.

“They make incredible runs with [Luis] Diaz, with [Darwin] Nunez, with [Mo] Salah. They are a fantastic team, a top side, no doubt.”

The trio namechecked by Guardiola already have 23 goals between them this season (Transfermarkt), so he’s right to be fearful of what the Liverpool front three could do to City’s defence.

Whether Diaz and/or Nunez will start is unclear, given that they only arrived back from World Cup qualifying action in South America in midweek.

Even if Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo are selected in place of that duo, though, they could also cause havoc if the Man City backline leave enough space for the Reds to exploit. The home side are bound to push forward in search of victory, so that could be a potential chink in the armour for Klopp to pounce upon today.

You can view Guardiola’s comments below (from 8:18), via Man City on YouTube:

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Jack Grealish admitted to being a little ‘baffled’ by the state of Tose Proeski Arena pitch as England secured a 1-1 draw with North Macedonia.

Trent Alexander-Arnold started the game in a heavily rotated Three Lions outfit that had safely topped their qualifying group for the European Championship.

“The pitch was awful. It baffles me how pitches like that are acceptable, to be honest,” the former Aston Villa winger was quoted as saying by the Echo. “There were like little stones everywhere. Phil has cut his hand because of the stones on the pitch, but yes, it is part of what you are going to get to some places.”

Pep Guardiola will be breathing a sigh of relief after his star winger and Phil Foden avoided serious injury.

READ MORE: ‘Have a feeling’: Liverpool have extra incentive as Glen Johnson shares Man City prediction

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Still not looking great elsewhere

There’s still something of a nervous wait for the Catalonian-born boss ahead of Liverpool’s trip to the Etihad.

The Sky Blues may have to contend with the absences of as many as seven players, including Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, Ederson, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Sergio Gomez and Kevin de Bruyne.

On a positive note for the hosts, Erling Haaland looks set to be available despite suffering a minor concern prior to Norway’s 3-3 draw with Scotland.

On our end, we’ll be hoping to see Ibrahima Konate back in action at the weekend after a promising clip was shared on his social media account.

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It’s not an eventuality Liverpool fans will want to consider for a plethora of reasons, but Jurgen Klopp will one day depart.

The pertinent question at that point will be: Who on earth is qualified to replace one of the greatest managers in the Reds’ bejewelled history?

Step forward, Xabi Alonso, perhaps?

Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen have an identical record after 11 games this season as Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich did in 2015/16. Bayern went on to win the league that season:

11 games
10 wins
1 draw
0 defeats
31 points
1st in the table

Incredible work. pic.twitter.com/97bSvMDjdH

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 15, 2023

The Spaniard has yet to lose a game in the German top-flight this season, matching Pep Guardiola’s record with Bayern from 2015/16, as per @StatmanDave’s tweet on X.

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Is Xabi Alonso Madrid-bound?

According to reliable reports from Germany, our former Red’s current terms with Leverkusen would allow him to shake hands on a switch to one of his former clubs – including Liverpool, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

With Carlo Ancelotti’s future in the Spanish capital far from certain amid ongoing speculation, it’s possible that the La Liga giants could turn to one of the most promising young coaches in Europe.

We’d be far from likely to have any say in the matter with Jurgen Klopp’s current terms set to keep him at L4 until the summer of 2026. Though, if anything, we’d imagine much of the fanbase would be keen to extend that period even further – and rightly so!

Perhaps one day we could reunite Alonso with his old home in Merseyside, though that day looks to be increasingly far off into the future.

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It’s one of the biggest debates in the modern era, who’s the better manager between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp – with Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville both now sharing their thoughts.

In a quickfire question and answer session with Now, the duo were asked for a one word answer to a series of questions.

READ MORE: (Video) Liverpool youngster scores World Cup opener; one to watch

The one about our boss and Manchester City’s provoked the same reaction from the pair – “Klopp”.

It will be music to the ears of our fans and something we all whole-heatedly agree with but perhaps not something that will be accepted by all those up the M62!

You can watch Carragher and Neville’s comments on Klopp and Guardiola via now on TikTok:

Anfield Annals: Matt McQueen the Anfield All-Rounder who did everything in 36 years as a Red

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Pep Guardiola is sweating on the fitness of two Manchester City players ahead of their top-of-the-table Premier League clash against Liverpool after the international break.

The defending champions have injury concerns over John Stones and Nathan Ake in the lead-up to the Reds’ visit to the Etihad Stadium on 25 November, with both players potentially facing a race against time to be available for the hotly-anticipated showdown.

Speaking on Saturday in relation to the England international [via Liverpool World], Guardiola said: “He is injured. He is not ready for tomorrow and we will see after international break. I don’t know (whether he will be ready) for Liverpool. 

“The doctor says it’s not as bad (as first thought), but still I don’t know. When he is going to be fit again, he will be back.”

On Sunday, the Dutch FA confirmed that Ake has been forced to withdraw from their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers due to injury, and with the second of those games taking place just four days before Man City’s next match, the 28-year-old may be a doubt to face the Reds.

READ MORE: Real Madrid ready to pay £70m+ for Liverpool stalwart to replace 5-time Champions League winner

READ MORE: 93% pass success – Liverpool fans may have missed impressive display from Reds prodigy on Sunday

With neither Stones nor Ake to call upon at the weekend, City were unusually brittle at the back as they shipped four goals to 10th-placed Chelsea in an all-time Premier League classic at Stamford Bridge.

Both players are pivotal to Guardiola’s preference for playing out from defence, with the Englishman (who’s also featured as a number 6) boasting the best passing success rate of any current player at the Etihad this season with an exceptional 97.5%, and the Dutchman sixth with 92.3% (WhoScored).

The 52-year-old will duly be desperate to have them back against a Liverpool team boasting arguably the league’s best player in Mo Salah, the wonderfully clinical Diogo Jota and an unpredictable whirlwind of a centre-forward in Darwin Nunez.

Of course, even without Stones and Ake, City still boast plenty of centre-back quality in Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol.

We never wish to see players from any team getting injured, but it’s certainly fair to say that Liverpool’s prospects of winning at the Etihad would increase if the home side were still missing two of their key defenders for the 25 November showdown.

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Pep Guardiola appears to have subtly started the psychological warfare ahead of the huge showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool following the international break.

The 25 November clash at the Etihad Stadium is the next fixture on the calendar for both teams, who sit first and second respectively in the Premier League after 12 games, with the defending champions now just one point ahead of the Reds after the weekend’s results.

City conceded a stoppage time equaliser in a breathtaking 4-4 draw at 10th-placed Chelsea, although their manager was keen to point out the strong record boasted by the west London outfit at home to title-chasing opposition.

As he went on the defensive about his team’s result yesterday, Guardiola said of Mauricio Pochettino’s side (via Liverpool Echo): “They are so dangerous, they are a really good team. Liverpool could not win, Arsenal… they were much, much better than Arsenal and then at the end Arsenal drew.”

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Guardiola is pointing out a fact in saying that Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal have all had to settle for a draw away to Chelsea this season, although he may have been attempting to send a pointed message to the Reds in his post-match comments on Sunday evening.

The top two have both ticked another Premier League venue off their list already this term, but in that instance they had contrasting results – while Jurgen Klopp’s team won away to Wolves in September, the champions were beaten at Molineux a fortnight later.

City eased to a 4-1 victory the last time we visited the Etihad at the beginning of April, but their manager knows full well that it’ll be a much more confident and vivacious LFC who go there in 12 days’ time.

Direct clashes between the pair have had a massive bearing on previous title races which involved both teams, and while he’d never admit it publicly, Guardiola will surely know deep down that a Liverpool win on Saturday week would strike a huge psychological blow.

That first game after the international break won’t define the season for either club, but it has the potential to serve as a major springboard for whichever team emerges victorious, if there’s a decisive result – and both managers know it.

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Pep Guardiola has seemingly given the green light for Liverpool to potentially swoop for one member of his Manchester City squad.

The Reds have been linked with Kalvin Phillips at various intervals over the past few months, and the 27-year-old’s current manager has iterated that he wouldn’t get in the way if certain players wish to leave the Etihad Stadium for direct Premier League rivals.

When asked about that subject prior to today’s clash against Chelsea, the City boss replied (via The Mirror): “From my point of view, I have said this to the club many times. I give my opinion to the club and they decide if the transfer suits for both sides and the player.

“Why? I think that means you are a small club (if you block a transfer). Big clubs, they don’t care. They make decisions for the benefit of all three parties: players and both clubs – and the agents sometimes. So really it is not a problem.‌

“If they want to go to Chelsea or [Manchester] United or, I don’t know, Liverpool, whatever, what is the problem? They are happy to be there and the club is happy with the transfer. The other club is happy with the amount of money they spend, so it is fine. Another player will come to us and we keep going in a good spirit and a good mood.”

READ MORE: Liverpool learn how much it’ll cost to land 25y/o who was ‘incredible’ against the Reds this year

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Man City have a track record of selling players directly to Premier League rivals, with Raheem Sterling joining Chelsea and both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko swapping the Etihad for Arsenal.

That may give hope to Liverpool if they’re determined to sign Phillips, but it remains to be seen just how interested the Reds would be in the England international, who was recently dubbed ‘exceptional’ by Guardiola (as per Fabrizio Romano).

Jurgen Klopp signed four midfielders during the summer transfer window, including a number 6 in Wataru Endo, although the recent links with Andre Trindade of Fluminense suggest that the Merseysiders are still on the lookout for another midfield anchor.

Phillips could be reasonably attainable, having started only one match in all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt), even despite Rodri being suspended for three league games earlier this autumn.

Guardiola has made it clear that he wouldn’t stand in the 27-year-old’s way if he were to eye an exit from the Champions League holders, so it’s now it’s over to Liverpool to evaluate whether they wish to add to their homegrown quota with a potential swoop for the Englishman.

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Pep Guardiola has claimed that Liverpool must ‘accept’ last weekend’s VAR mistake and ‘move on’.

The Spaniard was speaking to reporters ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday and was asked about Jurgen Klopp’s comments about his side replaying their Premier League game against Spurs.

Luis Diaz’s opening goal at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium was ruled out for offside and VAR Darren England failed to intervene despite the Colombian quite clearly being onside.

READ MORE: Klopp confirms Liverpool midfielder has suffered ‘two setbacks’ during recovery from injury; yet to feature this term

The Pgmol have released a statement and acknowledged an error was made but there is still extreme frustration amongst Liverpool Football Club and us supporters.

Klopp has claimed he and his players are ‘over’ the mistake but it would be interesting to see how Guardiola would’ve reacted had it been his side on the receiving end of such abysmal officiating.

Check Guardiola speaking below via @SkySportsNews on X:

"It's done. It was a mistake. Accept it"

Pep Guardiola after calls for a replay to be played between Tottenham and Liverpool pic.twitter.com/LZIIhxhwLD

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 6, 2023

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Pep Guardiola has claimed that the introduction of VAR has ‘changed the job’ of referees but he’s not sure how to improve the technology.

Liverpool were on the receiving end of VAR farce against Spurs on Saturday with Luis Diaz’s opening goal being incorrectly ruled out for offside.

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The PGMOL have since released the audio footage of the incident and the Manchester City boss has claimed that officials are now the ‘leading roles’ during matches, rather than the players on the pitch.

“It changed the job of the referees because now they don’t make the decisions, it goes to the VAR,” he told reporters (as quoted by Liverpool Echo). “I understand the feeling of Liverpool but the bosses of the referees will decide.

“No (I don’t have any ideas how to improve it). I’m not a professional in that to apply it as best as possible. I’m not involved in that and I don’t care.

READ MORE: Richard Keys offers potential suggestion to improve VAR and backs Liverpool over statement

“We have to rely on the people there. Everyone knows they did a mistake and Liverpool suffered a big consequence of that cause in these games is super important.

“They will have to find a system where the main roles are the players and the game itself. In all the countries, not just here. The referees and the VARs are the leading roles. And the Oscar goes to… they have to make a step back. It’s the players.

“Some games, be more humble and leave the players to do what they have to do, and they will be better. They will be better.”

It’s hard to disagree with the Spaniard’s comments.

Liverpool’s trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium should’ve been a brilliant clash between two sides who have started the campaign in superb fashion.

All the talk, however, is about the dreadful performance of the officials.

The Premier League have spent too much money on introducing VAR so although some are suggesting that it makes sense to get rid of the technology altogether and give control back to the on field officials, that’s simply not going to happen.

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Pep Guardiola and Liverpool have been in direct and intense competition with one another for several years, but Reds supporters will be howling with laughter over the Manchester City manager’s verdict on their Premier League rivals.

The Spaniard was giving his verdict on the clubs who look best placed to challenge his side in their quest for a fourth successive top-flight crown, picking out two teams who may have the tools to compete for glory in 2023/24.

The 52-year-old said: “You know how strong is Arsenal. Yesterday I saw them at Goodison Park. They are exceptional. Liverpool again, mentalities continue there.”

As if that wasn’t pleasing enough for Reds fans, Guardiola added the bonus of literally laughing off one other Premier League rival.

When Manchester United was put to the City manager in today’s press conference, he initially chuckled before adding (via football.london): “Well they didn’t start. They didn’t start in [the way] they expect like Chelsea but always they… Man United always they with Chelsea, sooner or later they will take the rhythm.”

Despite Guardiola’s best efforts to point out how Erik ten Hag’s side may yet find a ‘rhythm’, it’s hard to ignore his instinctive laugh at the start, which in turn could have many Liverpool fans rightly amused!

You can view the City manager’s response below, via @Kloppholic on Twitter/X:

Pep saying Liverpool are back before going on to cook United. pic.twitter.com/FZnvLm3HB7

— Kloppholic (@Kloppholic) September 18, 2023

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