“Honestly, it is a joke”- Liverpool manager gives verdict on talk surrounding Pep Guardiola leaving Manchester City

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp talks about rumours suggesting Pep Guardiola could leave Manchester City

Speaking in his pre-match conference via the Express, Liverpool gaffer Jurgen Klopp spoke about talks surrounding Pep Guardiola and the Spaniard departing from Manchester City after this season.

As harsh as it may sound, Guardiola is one of the biggest reasons why Klopp has not won as much as he should have in the Premier League. The plain dominance of Manchester City in the league under Guardiola has been unimaginable.

11 domestic titles with the Manchester club, including four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, four league cups and two Community Shield victories. Basically, the only trophy he has failed to win with City is the UEFA Champions League.

Klopp would have had two more domestic titles to his name if not for Guardiola. On two occasions, City have pipped Liverpool by just one point to clinch the title. The Reds secured 97 points in the 2017-18 season, only to finish second to Pep.

Here is what Klopp said about Pep departing:

“Honestly, it is a joke. Who told you that (Guardiola will leave)? I have no idea. I don’t know how often I have to say it, but he is the best manager in the world – and he is proving that every day. It’s special what City are doing, really special. And I respect that – but that’s it.”

Pep vs Klopp

The German has on multiple occasions spoken about the respect he has for Guardiola. But the underlying fact here is that all of Pep’s success in the Premier League has cost a lot, and everything comes at a price.

With the practically unlimited funding, Guardiola receives from his ownership at Man City, it is tough not to win almost everything thrown at you. Moreover, it could be true that this would be his last season as he is yet to sign an extension to his deal which expires in 2023

Albeit he is getting the money to spend in the market, there should be nothing taken off from his achievements as a manager. He is unquestionably one of the world’s best. Klopp and Guardiola have contributed a lot to bring the Premier League to its current level.

The standards of the league have certainly been upped with two of the world’s best managers in the league, and they have given rise to a healthy rivalry between the pair themselves as well. This weekend though comes as a huge test for Klopp, whose side has not gotten off to the start they would have envisioned in the summer.

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The immediate run of fixtures starting now will be a huge test for Klopp as a manager as Liverpool are in bad form. Moreover, City seem to be cruising at the moment, and as fans of the Reds, we could only hope for a win.