talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan picks Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp over Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as the world’s best

talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan chose Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp over Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as the world’s best manager. Simon argued the style of play and the difference in available resources for both managers to justify his pick.

The Reds have enjoyed a successful first half of the current season, surprising many football fans and pundits. After last season’s struggle and limited transfer budget, many expected a gradual return to the top for Liverpool.

However, Klopp managed to completely revamp his midfield during the summer after signing attackers in previous windows. Klopp and the Liverpool management delegated the budget, bringing quality players at bargain prices with shrewd deals and vigorous scouting.

Liverpool are currently at the top of the Premier League table and they have successfully progressed in every cup competition. They registered a 2-1 victory over Fulham in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.

The Reds are facing an injury crisis, also losing two important players, Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo, to international duties. Liverpool’s academy players have enjoyed the opportunities during this period as Klopp continues his tradition of giving chances to youth.

The 56-year-old has given opportunities to Ben Doak, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, James McConnell, and Bobby Clark. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott have established themselves as important senior team members under him. Injured young midfielder Stefan Bajcetic will establish himself as a senior team member as well.

Meanwhile, Man City continued to add quality to their treble-winning squad, spending a massive amount to sign Josko Gvardiol. City manager Guardiola has enjoyed massive spending power, reaching around €1.47 billion in transfer expenditure since joining the club.

There is no doubt that Guardiola has the impressive ability to build quality players. However, Man City has not seen many youth players establishing themselves as important senior team members apart from Phil Foden.

Jordan told talkSPORT that Klopp could have achieved all the success that Guardiola did, given the resources the Spaniard had. He said:

“They’ve [Liverpool] got a manager that to me, I think, is the best manager, if not close to it in world football. I know that the statistics will tell you that it’s Pep [Guardiola]. If he [Klopp] had the same resources as Pep I think he might have achieved the same things. The argument will be, ‘what style of football do you like to watch?’, I like to watch Liverpool’s style of football more than I like to watch Manchester City’s.”

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Jordan’s assessment holds a lot of weight as Liverpool have missed a couple of Premier League trophies by a point. While it is quite possible that Klopp would have preferred more financial backing from the owners on a few occasions. We think he prefers the setup Liverpool provides which allows him to nourish young talents in a family environment.