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Jurgen Klopp laughs out loud when it is mentioned that Pep Guardiola seems obsessed with Liverpool, before diplomatically avoiding a response.
However, the joy shows his elevated, almost joyous mood when it comes to facing Manchester City, in part because he enjoys encounters with a manager he considers the best in world football.
In his own way, Klopp is equally obsessed with his rival coach. That’s because he admires Guardiola’s faith in his own philosophy so much, and his commitment to play a what for him, it’s the right brand of football… the only brand of football.
“Are you obsessed ?! I didn’t see the documentary, so I don’t know what you’re talking about. But in this case, City does what they always do and it’s so good that they always do it because if it wasn’t so good they would change it from time to time, ”Klopp said with a smile.
They really enjoy facing City, even though their record against them is not as convincing as when they face most other teams, with three wins and three losses, plus two draws in the Premier League against their biggest rivals.
(Image: REUTERS)
Is easy to see why. He admires Guardiola massively. “The challenge with City is always the way they play with the players they have. That makes it really complicated.
“If you think about it, all the challenges of the game, what you have to be aware of and think about and what you have to do, is City because they have a good plan, a clear plan and in each position a player who has the physicality and technique to make a difference, “he explained.
“They play in a specific way, they are quite dominant, but if they have to counterattack they are quite strong, so they have speed and creativity and that’s not so good when the other team has that and makes it quite difficult.
“That makes it challenging in preparation, but also interesting because you don’t play a lot of games against a team with such high quality as City in specific areas where they play and all these kinds of things.”
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It has been an extremely interesting start to the season for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
The title defense got off to a shaky start when they beat a seven-goal thriller against Leeds, before going to seven conceded in a beating of Aston Villa.
Virgil van Dijk’s season ended through injury in a 2-2 draw at Everton, leaving the title favorites much less secure in the back, especially with Alisson’s concern about injury.
But there is no slowdown in what will be a busy season, with Klopp making sure his men keep up with him as they fight for more titles.
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However, his ruling, which predicts that City will do what they always do against Liverpool, offers insight into his own tactical thinking, in a contest that could once again be pivotal in the title race.
He left Roberto Firmino out of the team that so magnificently beat Atalanta in the middle of the week, and possibly leaves out a Diogo Jota player who scored a hat trick in Italy.
Firmino has struggled in front of goal for the past year, but Klopp still refuses to accept much of the criticism leveled at his Brazilian forward.
Who will win between Liverpool and Man City? Please express your opinion below.
(Image: REUTERS)
“For those of us who are with us, I don’t have to say a word about Bobby Firmino and how important he was to us, I don’t waste time with that.
“Who is not with us, I don’t care if they know to be honest. He made a difference in so many games, so I would be very embarrassed if I had to mention the qualities of Bobby Firmino now.
“I can’t help these people, sorry. If you don’t see it, I can’t help you. “
Firmino is sure to return, and Joel Matip will play as well, while James Milner could be a surprise inclusion against his former club.
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