Klopp revealed in January his decision to step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the 2023/24 season.
That means Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash will be the last one between Guardiola’s Blues and Klopp’s Reds in the top-flight.
And the City boss is looking forward to the fierce finale on Sunday.
“Always it was a pleasure - and Sunday will be too but we will try to win the game,” the boss said.
“The way his teams play football, always you learn. The way they play, the teams play.
“It will be nice because always it has been and accept the challenge.
“I respect completely his decision. I spoke with him and I had the feeling he will be back sooner or later.
“He is a man who loves football. His passion is there.
“He explained perfectly the reason why [he is leaving].
“In the Premier League it’s the last time but maybe in the FA Cup, we can find [each other] and we will see.”
It’s been an intense rivalry with Guardiola and Klopp battling it out for honours for almost a decade.
This fierce competition and also the packed calendar has meant that the pair have been unable to mix socially and catch up about the battles they have waged, going back to their times with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, too.
Guardiola hopes to be able to meet in the future, however.
“When we were honoured to get in the Hall of Fame with Jurgen years ago, we spent time with our families,” added the boss.
“But in terms of lunch, dinners it never happened. We have to decide who pays, that’s why we never did it!
“I think it is going to happen sooner or later, yes. I would love it. We will see.”
Klopp has obviously been a driving force in making Liverpool the main rival to City over the last eight years.
With his departure, will it make the Premier League hunt for honours easier for Guardiola’s Blues?
The City boss hasn’t thought about that question too intently of late as he looks to mastermind another season to remember after our Treble triumph.
| 1 |
|
Manchester City Man City | 38 | 28 | 7 | 3 | 96 | 34 | 62 | 91 | WWWWW | |
| 2 |
|
Arsenal Arsenal | 38 | 28 | 5 | 5 | 91 | 29 | 62 | 89 | WWWWW | |
| 3 |
|
Liverpool Liverpool | 38 | 24 | 10 | 4 | 86 | 41 | 45 | 82 | LDWDW |
But when quizzed in the pre-match press conference, he insisted that ‘Liverpool always has been Liverpool’ as he also laid out the other key rivals now and in the future.
“I would like to know but I don’t think so. Liverpool always have been Liverpool.
“I don’t know the decision they are going to make [on who replaces the manager]. But the contenders are there. Arsenal are already there. Last season they were the biggest rivals, not Liverpool. And look how they are still playing.
“Liverpool needs 90 minutes to win the games. Sometimes more than 90 minutes to win the games. Arsenal only need 25 minutes to win the games. That’s why they are there.
“I guess the other teams - Tottenham will make a step forward, United, Newcastle maybe will be back having maybe one game a week. We will see.
“But next season is next season and I don’t have the ability to think about it, what is going to happen next.”
