List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

The longer a run goes, Jurgen Klopp had said, the more likely it would end. And if it appeared like wishful thinking when he delivered the thought, a day earlier, events – and Trent Alexander-Arnold – made the Liverpool manager sound prophetic 24 hours later. Manchester City had won every game at the Etihad Stadium in 2023, every match since a rather less celebrated manager, Frank Lampard, earned a 1-1 draw with a rather less talented Everton team. Almost 11 months later, Klopp and Liverpool secured the same result, halting City’s winning run on their own turf at 23 matches – one short of the English record set by Sunderland in the 1890s – and keeping the gap between these two teams at one point. There still seems to be a title race whereas, if City had pulled four points clear of their perennial challengers, there was the danger they would disappear into the distance. And if Klopp had further proof of his side’s powers of recovery - the specialists in coming from behind this season got another point after trailing – he reaped a reward of sorts for his own pragmatism, an equaliser coming after Liverpool had looked uncharacteristically timid. This was not heavy-metal football, not the full-throttle gegenpressing that made this rivalry so compelling or which gave Liverpool a unique ability to eviscerate City. Instead, it was a cautious Klopp: perhaps scarred by a 4-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium in April, maybe fearful that, lacking a natural defensive midfielder, his team could be exposed if they afforded City space. And so Liverpool came to contain, looking to keep the game tight. The high press was often eschewed in favour of a lower block, the compactness coming from players grouped together in their own half. It meant there was an anomaly in the equaliser. There were times when Liverpool attacked only with their forwards, reluctant to commit players forward. But with the clock ticking down, Mohamed Salah found support from Alexander-Arnold, teed him up and the vice-captain connected with unerring precision, driving a shot in from the edge of the box. If a foray forward represented rare respite for him – the right-back had spent more time preoccupied by his duel with the irrepressible Jeremy Doku – he preserved Klopp’s winning record against Guardiola. After 29 meetings, the score remains 12-11 in the German’s favour. That he has not tasted victory at the Etihad in the Premier League in the Catalan’s reign is a sign of how welcome this result nevertheless was. And if it was a reminder that even great rivalries contain matches that fall some way short of greatness, the sense of anti-climax will be felt by City. They led for 53 minutes, could have doubled their advantage, had a goal disallowed and yet drew; as in their defeat at Arsenal, it indicated the absences of Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, one for half a season, the other permanently, may have deprived them of the extra quality that could make a difference in such defining clashes. They did, however, still have Erling Haaland. Even as City did not set a record, Haaland did. He became the quickest player to 50 Premier League goals, getting there 17 matches earlier than Andy Cole, the previous best; he is the fastest to many a landmark. But with the galaxy of attacking talent on display, there was something illogical that a Nathan Ake solo run would be pivotal to the breakthrough. So was an Alisson error, his second sliced kick of the afternoon; the first found Phil Foden, who shot tamely at the goalkeeper. The second went to Ake, who slalomed between three defenders and found Haaland. Alisson took the sting out of his shot, but it still rolled in. Briefly, City thought they had another goal. Alisson’s awkward afternoon continued when Ruben Dias had a goal disallowed after the goalkeeper fumbled Julian Alvarez’s corner as Manuel Akanji bundled into him. Yet there was redemption of sorts for Alisson. The Brazilian produced a fine save to tip Foden’s low drive wide. He made a brilliant point-blank block from Haaland, a minute before Alexander-Arnold equalised. There could have been a winner for Haaland, flashing a header wide in the 97th minute. But, with Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk excelling defensively, Liverpool frustrated City for swathes of the game. There was one irrepressible exception. Doku was the outlet, with a jink and a trick. He was the supplier when Haaland perhaps should have scored a second. Perhaps predictably, it proved a turning point. Until then, only Darwin Nunez, who remains incapable of staying quiet, had posed a threat. Ederson had made a hat-trick of saves from the Uruguayan, clawing a header over, tipping two shots wide. But Alisson saved from Haaland, Alexander-Arnold went forward and, once again, Klopp had frustrated Guardiola. That irritation may have been apparent in a final-whistle altercation with Nunez. But Guardiola has long described Klopp’s Liverpool as his toughest opponent. Even as they changed tack and adopted a more restrained approach, they justified that billing. Read More Erling Haaland makes history before Trent Alexander-Arnold earns a point Burnley vs West Ham LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Luton Town vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Newcastle vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Nottingham Forest vs Brighton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Sheffield United vs Bournemouth LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

Burnley host West Ham at Turf Moor knowing a win would take them off the bottom of the Premier League table and reignite their domestic campaign. Vincent Kompany’s men have only won once in the league this season, beating Luton 2-1 at the start of October. They have lost their last six fixtures across all competitions and desperately need a change in fortunes. West Ham, meanwhile, are ninth in the table and have hopes of earning a place in Europe next season. Games like these, against lower half teams, are must wins if David Moyes’ men hope to finish inside the top seven. Can they defeat the Clarets today? Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

Nottingham Forest will have designs on picking up all three points against struggling Brighton when the teams clash at the City Ground this afternoon. Steve Cooper wants his Forest side to close out matches with clinical performances when they’ve been on top as he looks to continue to distance his team from the bottom three. Forest slipped to defeat last time out against West Ham, thanks to a late goal from Tomas Soucek, and will want to rectify that today. After a wonderful start for Brighton where they won five of their first six games, Roberto de Zerbi’s men have not triumphed in the league since September. Four draws from their last five games is a frustrating return for the Seagulls who have their sights set on Europe. Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

One on the more intriguing contests of the day sees Sheffield United host Bournemouth at Bramall Lane. Two places separate the teams in the table though the Cherries have picked up four more points than the Blades. Sheffield United will be hoping that a strong performance at home can earn them three points and take them out of the relegation zone. Should they win today, Bournemouth will be drawn into the battle to survive which gives the Blades a better chance of survival. However, Bournemouth will be confident. They’ve won two of their last three fixtures including a 2-0 victory against Newcastle last time out. Although they don’t have the greatest record away to Sheffield United, they’ll be boosted by the return of Philip Billing who brings experience to the midfield. Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

Trent Alexander-Arnold cancelled out Erling Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal as Liverpool grabbed a point against champions and title rivals Manchester City on Saturday. The England international struck 10 minutes from the end of a tight encounter at the Etihad Stadium after Haaland’s landmark strike looked like extending City’s record home winning run. City had won their previous 23 games on home turf in all competitions, a running dating back to a visit from Everton on New Year’s Eve last December. Alexander-Arnold’s late equaliser also spared the blushes of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who had a day to forget having gifted Haaland his opener and committed several other errors. Haaland had shown no mercy as he netted in the 27th minute, reaching his half-century of goals in the competition in just his 48th appearance, a new record. Alisson, who was in goal for Brazil in their controversial game against Argentina in Rio on Wednesday, looked sluggish from the start. He presented Phil Foden with an early opportunity when he gave the ball away but escaped as the England midfielder shot tamely. At the other end, Ederson palmed away a Darwin Nunez header but Alisson had another worrying moment when he dithered on a back pass and had to scramble clear under pressure from Haaland. Haaland made sure he was punished when he blundered again. Firstly Alisson slipped as he attempted to launch the ball upfield and found only Nathan Ake, who charged through some weak challenges to feed Haaland. The Norwegian scuffed his shot slightly but it was still too powerful for Alisson, whose weak hand to could not prevent it finding the bottom corner. Nunez hit the side-netting from a tight angle as Liverpool responded but the visitors were unable to consistently trouble City. The champions threatened again before the break but this time Alisson did well to push away a low effort from Foden. City went close again after the restart when Julian Alvarez spurned the chance by blazing over after good work by Jeremy Doku. Liverpool struggled to muster a meaningful threat with Virgil Van Dijk’s header from a corner not troubling Ederson. Alisson was given a major reprieve after another howler. The Brazilian spilled the ball from a corner under little obvious pressure and Ruben Dias poked in but the goal was disallowed for a foul by Manuel Akanji. Liverpool made the most of the let-off to equalise on 80 minutes with Alexander-Arnold’s fine strike. Mohamed Salah laid off on the edge of the box and the England international took a touch before drilling a shot across goal into the bottom corner. He celebrated by putting a finger to his lips in front of the City fans. City applied plenty of late pressure with Alisson, who appeared injured, struggling to clear his lines. Haaland almost grabbed a winner in the eighth and final minute of stoppage time but his glancing header flew narrowly wide. Read More Man Utd have reached ‘turning point’ ahead of crucial week – Erik ten Hag On This Day in 2020: Gunners welcome their fans back in style Miami Dolphins take down New York Jets in 21-point win Pep Guardiola puts Jurgen Klopp on pedestal as ‘by far’ his biggest career rival Mauricio Pochettino wants managers ‘involved in decisions’ around referee reform Ange Postecoglou too busy with football matters to worry about agent-rules probe

Erik ten Hag believes his Manchester United team have reached a “turning point” as they head into a crucial week of fixtures. The Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford was under immense scrutiny at the start of the month, with United’s record of eight defeats in their first 15 matches in all competitions amounting to their worst start to a season since 1962. United won their two Premier League fixtures prior to the international break – away to Fulham and at home to Luton – to ease the pressure and leave them with a record of four wins from their last five league matches. They resume after the break with three away days in hostile atmospheres – first at Everton on Sunday against a team fuelled by a sense of injustice following the imposition of a 10-point penalty for breaching Premier League financial rules, followed by a visit to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray on Wednesday before a trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle. But Ten Hag insists morale is good among his players heading into a hectic period of matches which could define United’s season. “We have seen a turning point,” the former Ajax boss said. “Now we have to build on. We go into a massive month and we are really looking forward with confidence. “There are no easy games for anyone – everyone will drop points. But the last five games we won four and that gives us confidence going into the next games.” On the tests of character about to face his side, Ten Hag added: “We play three games in six days and as a group we have to deal with that. “We have a plan, we have studied for it. We made the players aware that they have to take responsibility, but especially it’s about co-operation.” United are boosted by the return of England international Luke Shaw from a thigh muscle injury which has sidelined him since August. Goalkeeper Andre Onana has overcome a knock suffered on international duty with Cameroon, but a late call will be taken on whether Rasmus Hojlund can feature. The Dane suffered a muscle strain in the second half of the win over Luton just before the November international break. Hojlund’s international team-mate Christian Eriksen will not be available due to a knee injury, while central defender Jonny Evans is not ready to return yet from a thigh problem. Read More On This Day in 2020: Gunners welcome their fans back in style Miami Dolphins take down New York Jets in 21-point win Pep Guardiola puts Jurgen Klopp on pedestal as ‘by far’ his biggest career rival Mauricio Pochettino wants managers ‘involved in decisions’ around referee reform Ange Postecoglou too busy with football matters to worry about agent-rules probe Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half brace inspires Al Nassr victory over Al Akhdoud

Arsenal announced they would become the first Premier League club to welcome fans in for a competitive fixture since March following the coronavirus pandemic, on this day in 2020. The north London club confirmed 2,000 spectators were to be allowed in for their Europa League match against Rapid Vienna the following week. The Gunners learned Emirates Stadium was to be in tier two of the Government’s new regionalised approach to tackling the coronavirus pandemic, and were able to welcome fans in for the clash with the Austrian side. A club statement read: “It’s been almost nine long months since we had fans in attendance at Emirates Stadium and our matches have simply not been the same without you. “While we appreciate that reduced capacity matches will be far from being ‘back to normal’, we can’t wait to welcome our fans back home for what will be a historic moment for the club.” This was the first time fans have been able to watch a Premier League side in action since the first coronavirus lockdown saw the 2019-20 season pause in March. In the match itself, Arsenal eased to a 4-1 victory. The Gunners had already booked their place in the knockout stages, but a comfortable win meant they finished at the top of Group B. Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring with an impressive long-range strike before Pablo Mari, returning to the team for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in June, headed in a second, with academy graduates Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe adding the gloss either side of Kohya Kitagawa’s consolation. Read More Miami Dolphins take down New York Jets in 21-point win Pep Guardiola puts Jurgen Klopp on pedestal as ‘by far’ his biggest career rival Mauricio Pochettino wants managers ‘involved in decisions’ around referee reform

Manchester City host Liverpool in the first match of the Premier League‘s return following the international break. The two old rivals clash at the Etihad Stadium in what should be a fantastic contest between the teams sitting first and second in the table. It’s no surprise that Pep Guardiola’s side sit top of the tree but they only have a one point lead over the Reds and could finish the day as low as third should Arsenal prove victorious against Brentford in the late kick off. Defeat is not on Guardiola’s mind though. His City team have a strong record at home against Liverpool and beat them 4-1 here last season. Liverpool, meanwhile, are on the rise following a poor season in 2022/23. They’re unbeaten in five league games since a 2-1 defeat to Spurs in September. Though the Reds have not won at the Etihad in the league since 2015, Jurgen Klopp is hoping to make things ‘uncomfortable’ for City in the hopes of grinding out a positive result. Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:

Ange Postecoglou has promised Giovani Lo Celso there will be opportunities for him to turn around his Tottenham career over the coming weeks. Spurs are without at least nine first-teamers for the visit of Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday. Yves Bissouma (suspended) and James Maddison (ankle) will definitely miss out and the prolonged absence of the latter has resulted in calls for Lo Celso to be given a first league start for Spurs since 2021. Signed four years ago towards the end of Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, the Argentina international worked with current Villa boss Unai Emery at Villarreal last season, but could get the chance to haunt his old manager this weekend. “I looked at Gio really well before I got here, both here at Tottenham and his spells at other clubs,” Postecoglou said. “You can see he has certain qualities. He’s had a disruptive season for us. He’s had a few injuries, he hasn’t really had a clean run at it. “He’s one of a number of players that has happened to, but you can see technically, he’s a very creative player, he works hard for the team. “He’ll get an opportunity over the next few weeks to hopefully come in and make an impact.” While Lo Celso has struggled to make his mark in England, the 27-year-old remains a key figure for his country and started Argentina’s 1-0 win in Brazil on Tuesday. But Postecoglou admitted: “I don’t think his national-team form is a direct correlation to here. Just like anyone else’s. “Gio will get an opportunity, particularly over the next few weeks because we are down on numbers and have a fair few games between now and the new year. “If they’re here, they’ll get an opportunity. That’s all you can offer.” Lo Celso was heavily linked with a move away in the summer, but Postecoglou made clear from the outset his desire to keep him at Spurs. Barcelona remain interested in the midfielder and while Tottenham’s injury list makes departures unlikely in January, the Australian conceded now is his chance to cast an eye over the squad. Postecoglou added: “From my perspective, this is the time when I am getting an opportunity to make all these assessments because if you lump it all into one and look at previous exposure here at the club, that’s not really relevant to me. “It’s what I see from now on and how the players feel themselves about playing the football that I want and whether they see themselves fitting into that. I haven't come across him, but I have been a great admirer of his coaching Ange Postecoglou on Unai Emery “It hasn’t happened by design but I am certainly going to get a good look at everyone.” Meanwhile, Postecoglou heaped praise on opposite number Emery for turning Villa into top-four contenders inside 12 months. “I haven’t come across him, but I have been a great admirer of his coaching,” Postecoglou revealed. “He came over here and the experience (with Arsenal) didn’t deter him in any way. He didn’t lose any belief in who he is as a manager. “He has turned Villa around very, very quickly and you have got to remember what position they were in. “I have looked at his teams and they have always been very well organised and structured, with a clear identity. “And he has transferred that across three different countries. He is a quality manager.” Read More Miami Dolphins take down New York Jets in 21-point win Pep Guardiola puts Jurgen Klopp on pedestal as ‘by far’ his biggest career rival Mauricio Pochettino wants managers ‘involved in decisions’ around referee reform Ange Postecoglou too busy with football matters to worry about agent-rules probe Many Premier League managers have been in contact after FA charge – Mikel Arteta Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half brace inspires Al Nassr victory over Al Akhdoud

A wild weekend in England’s top flight has Fantasy Premier League bosses considering what could come next and whether overthinking taking the captaincy away from Erling Haaland is really the way to go - but this week presents a chance for calmer reflection and, just maybe, sweeping wholesale changes to reignite a title bid, especially if a wildcard is available to use. Here are five players we think could impress in gameweek 13 and perhaps beyond, with managers needing to decide whether using a transfer or two earlier in the week is a gamble worth taking, or holding out until after the upcoming international fixtures is worth the potential greater price. Note: Our FPL tips come out every Monday but this is international week - so no domestic fixtures this weekend! James Ward-Prowse, West Ham (6.1) The central midfielder ended a run of six games without a goal or assist last time out to register two of the latter for the Hammers - and there’s reason to think his points could continue to tally up fast after the break. Ward-Prowse faces bottom club Burnley in the first match back, followed by a run which includes Crystal Palace at home, Fulham away and Wolves at home in the next four fixtures. These are games West Ham will feel they can win, but Ward-Prowse’s set-piece delivery will be a big part of that if so and he could be a solid operator for a period without breaking the bank. Luca Koleosho, Burnley (5.0) Our picks this time out are going to include some contrarian options, fair warning! And one of the starters for the league’s bottom club definitely comes under that category, especially since Luka Koleosho has just a single assist and no goals to his name this term. Yet his recent performances have been good, he’s in the starting lineup on a regular basis and between his acceleration, his dribbling and his willingness to get shots away, it looks only a matter of time before the 19-year-old starts to find some end product. Add in the Clarets’ upcoming fixture list - after West Ham at home it’s Sheffield United home too, then Wolves, Brighton and Everton - and if Burnley are going to mount some sort of resistance against relegation, he’ll surely play a part and it’ll surely have to come in this run of games. Listed as a midfielder in FPL, the wide forward is a cheap option to consider as a bench alternative at least. Christopher Nkunku, Chelsea (7.3) Speaking of contrarian options, how about getting ahead of the game? Chelsea’s £51m signing is still waiting for his competitive debut for the Blues but Christopher Nkunku has all the talent to make himself not just a starter for Mauricio Pochettino’s side in rapid order, but prove himself one of the Premier League’s best all-round attackers. It remains to be seen exactly where he fits into the team, but Chelsea are starting to click and the France international is on the cusp of his comeback from injury. Away to Newcastle seems a hard fixture at first, but the Magpies are decimated by injuries right now, particularly in defence and midfield. Nkunku, an FPL forward, might play here, might not - but when he does, it’s almost certain his price will quickly start to rise as managers jump in on his dribbling and high volume of shot-taking. Why not get in ahead of time? Jayden Bogle, Sheffield United (4.5m) If a Burnley attacker is contrarian, a Sheffield United defender might be even more so. But with a couple of nice fixtures to play, an upturn in team results and confidence and plenty to like about Jayden Bogle’s attacking capabilities, he could be another squad makeweight for the odd game who doesn’t take up big funds and might just offer a well-timed assist. The right wing-back has one goal this season and two assists (in FPL terms at least!), and if we set aside the hammering by Arsenal, has mustered an average of just under three points per game over his (other) last four appearances. There could even be a rare clean sheet bonus to come against either Bournemouth or Burnley in the next couple of games. Abdoulaye Doucoure, Everton (5.5m) Rounding off our selections is Everton’s advanced midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, a key component under Sean Dyche and an in-form one, too. He notched a goal and an assist against Crystal Palace last time out and will look to add to both across a run against a very poor Manchester United side, a leaky Nottingham Forest and an injury-hit Newcastle. It’s surprising really that Doucoure’s price hasn’t really risen; he’s selected currently by fewer than 1% of teams, yet has picked up more FPL points this season than the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Martin Odegaard, Dejan Kulusevski or Marcus Rashford. Playing just off the front man, Everton’s powerhouse runner from deep is often a goal threat and could comfortably sit in squads as a regular rotation option depending on the Toffees’ upcoming opponents. Read More The surprise truth behind Klopp’s blueprint to beat Pep Guardiola How Pep Guardiola borrowed from Jurgen Klopp to elevate Manchester City Many Premier League managers have been in contact after FA charge – Mikel Arteta The surprise truth behind Klopp’s blueprint to beat Pep Guardiola How Pep Guardiola borrowed from Jurgen Klopp to elevate Manchester City Many Premier League managers have been in contact after FA charge – Mikel Arteta

In 2021, Pep Guardiola was reflecting on an epic managerial rivalry that then only lasted a mere eight years. “He made me a better manager,” he said of Jurgen Klopp. When he registered his greatest achievement since leaving Barcelona, it owed something to Klopp, too. In swift succession, his captain lifted the Premier League, the FA Cup and then the Champions League. A decade after scoring for Klopp in a Champions League final at Wembley, Ilkay Gundogan struck twice for Guardiola in an FA Cup final at Wembley. Gundogan felt like a footballing soulmate of Guardiola – as well as a neighbour in the same deluxe Manchester apartment block – but a diplomat had links in each camp: Klopp often texted his former midfielder congratulations when Manchester City won something, just as he got in touch when Liverpool drew Guardiola’s team in the Champions League in 2018. Gundogan is gone now – to Guardiola’s old club and spiritual home, Barcelona – but he remains an example of how the Catalan has been influenced by the manager who has beaten him most often. As Guardiola’s haul from the seasons when they have faced each other stands at five Premier League titles and two Bundesligas, Klopp is likelier to defeat him over 90 minutes than nine months. That Guardiola has always tended to have greater resources is a factor: a mantra of Klopp’s is that he has never wanted to be the best team in the world as much as beat the best. And, with great regularity, that is how he describes City. Now, as Champions League winners, that description is utterly uncontroversial. Yet Guardiola’s methods for establishing superiority have entailed borrowing from Klopp. “I learned a lot from watching Liverpool,” he said in January. He learned from watching Borussia Dortmund, too: his first game as Bayern Munich manager a 4-2 defeat to Klopp’s previous club. It exposed him to the blistering speed of counterattacks in the Bundesliga. A recurring theme of many of Guardiola’s most chastening defeats in the subsequent decade has been a susceptibility to the break against quick transitions; his tactical shifts have often been predicated on attempts to provide protection against them. His use of inverted full-backs coming into midfield began in Bavaria and was designed in part to shield the defence when his side lost the ball. His sudden fondness for full-backs who are centre-backs by trade, however, reflected on lessons learned at Anfield. Explaining Nathan Ake’s role, he said in May: “You need proper defenders to win duels one on one.” He cited four wingers as reasons why, four men he would not want to be isolated against a midfielder masquerading as a full-back. One of them, Mohamed Salah, scored against City in four different games last season. He did not mention Sadio Mane, but the previous season, the Senegalese scored four times against City. One of those multifunctional defenders, Manuel Akanji, was on Liverpool’s radar in the past. He came from Dortmund, like Gundogan: a curiosity is that, during Klopp’s reign at Anfield, City have signed three players from his old club and Liverpool none. The third, Erling Haaland, was a signing that may bear comparisons with Bayern’s raid on Dortmund for Robert Lewandowski in 2014. And yet neither Klopp nor Guardiola is indelibly associated with the conventional centre-forward. The exchange of ideas can be a two-way affair. If one is seen as an apostle of pressing, the other the godfather of passing, there are common denominators and influences in either direction. If there has often been a difference of thought about wingers, with City’s often charged with supplying touchline-hugging width and Klopp’s normally goalscorers in narrower roles, running the channels inside the full-backs, the double act of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane, who fashioned perhaps the most viscerally entertaining Guardiola side, offered echoes of Liverpool. Meanwhile, there has been a shared fondness for the false nine. Liverpool had the Premier League’s definitive one, in Roberto Firmino; Guardiola had a host of them in the two seasons before Haaland’s arrival. Firmino reflected another tactical priority: with his propensity to drop deep, he gave Liverpool four players in an area populated by a three-man central midfield. City’s fourth player there was often a full-back of sorts, whether Fabian Delph, Oleksandr Zinchenko or Joao Cancelo. Now there has been a role reversal of sorts: Liverpool’s fourth man is a full-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Merseysider readily admits that he is studying John Stones and Rodri in a bid to gain a greater understanding of his midfield duties. Stones, the centre-back who has become a hybrid midfielder, is Guardiola’s latest invention. Meanwhile, Klopp, lacking the injured Andy Robertson, will probably play Joe Gomez as his Ake, a centre-back operating as a left-back. Klopp’s midfield has taken on a Guardiola-esque look, with more technicians and attack-minded players and fewer ball-winners. Guardiola’s last game, the frenetic 4-4 draw at Chelsea, was reminiscent of the kind of confusion the early Klopp teams brought. Perhaps it is a one-off, perhaps a sign that Guardiola, who long embraced control, is instead accepting Klopp-style chaos. Maybe he is missing Gundogan, a midfielder forged in part by a peer but whose style was perhaps always best suited to Guardiola. Meanwhile, the injured afterthought at Anfield represented Klopp’s attempt to add Guardiola’s class in possession: in 2021-22, when Liverpool almost did the quadruple, it seemed as though Thiago Alcantara may be the man who added the extra dimension. Instead, a year later, it was Gundogan, Klopp’s protege, who propelled City to greater glory. It came in Klopp’s worst full season in charge on Merseyside. Yet now Liverpool are revived, once again City’s closest challengers. It is safe to say Guardiola won’t be surprised. Two years ago, he said: “They’re going to come back sooner or later: knowing the club, and the manager.” Now Liverpool are back. Over 10 years and 28 games, rivals have been opposites and influences, a mutual admiration society who have driven each other to greater heights yet providing reasons why either has not won even more. They have shaped each other’s sides and their thinking. And, as ever, their duel could shape a season. Manchester City vs Liverpool will kick off at 12.30pm on Saturday 25 November on Sky Sports Read More Pep Guardiola puts Jurgen Klopp on pedestal as ‘by far’ his biggest career rival The surprise truth behind Klopp’s blueprint to beat Pep Guardiola Pep Guardiola makes Man City vow — even if they are ‘relegated to League One’ Pep Guardiola gives Erling Haaland injury update ahead of Liverpool clash Premier League news LIVE: Updates from today’s press conferences Pep Guardiola not concerned that Manchester City only had eight subs at Chelsea

Jurgen Klopp cast himself as the philosophical opposite of his rival for Saturday’s crunch match. They have been pitted against each other for a decade now, Klopp and Pep Guardiola, over 28 meetings from the German Super Cup to the Community Shield, via the FA, Carabao and German cups, the Bundesliga, the Premier League and the Champions League. They will be in neighbouring technical areas at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday when Manchester City host Liverpool, just as they are side by side again in the league table, for a game Klopp said he “would watch wherever I was on the planet”. But, once again, he is up against the man he deems the finest in his business. “I don't know how often I have said it but he's the best manager in the world,” he said. And while he will willingly admit that Guardiola is an influence, he compared himself to his great rival by drawing a distinction between them. “Defending is an important part of the game,” he said. “That is where my philosophy starts and his maybe ends.” Guardiola may disagree on that point, given the importance he attaches to pressing. As Klopp accepted: “We are not that close that we have spoken about it.” But Klopp’s blueprint against Guardiola involves defending; which, in turn, is the basis of his attacking. Gegenpressing, after all, is his best playmaker. “I love preparing for a game when the opponent wants the ball because it gives you an opportunity to create something,” he said. Devastating transitions have been at the heart of his blueprint to beat Guardiola. It is one that no one else has been able to copy; not with any consistency. Only one manager has faced Guardiola at least eight times and has won more often than he has lost, and that is the man who has taken him on most often. Klopp’s 12 victories have been spread across Germany and England but have had certain common denominators. Klopp’s teams don’t dominate the ball, and nor do they try to. But nor do they give it up altogether: beating Manchester City with 20 per cent possession, he rationalised, “is really rare and your counterattacks have to be spot on”. And if Liverpool’s sometimes are, they had 37 per cent of the ball when they won 1-0 at Anfield last season, 32 per cent in the 2-1 Champions League victory at the Etihad Stadium, 36 per cent in 2018’s 4-3 triumph at Anfield. Klopp’s sides have to defend well, but the scorelines indicate that the games have not been defensive. Perhaps it is simply testament to the attacking quality on the pitch but those 28 matches have produced 93 goals, an average of 3.32 each. While winning more – 12 to 11 – Klopp’s teams have conceded more goals, 48 to 45; as he knows from 5-0, 4-0, 4-1 and 4-1 results, when City are on top, they can seem unstoppable. “If we can make it really uncomfortable for them, we have a chance,” Klopp said. “If they feel comfortable in their game, no team has a chance.” Arguably, no one else has made life uncomfortable for Guardiola as often as Klopp. Some of the unconventional decisions that have led to accusations that the Catalan overthinks things have come against Liverpool: Aymeric Laporte has played at left-back at Anfield, Ilkay Gundogan as a quasi-right-winger and Jack Grealish as a false nine, none with any conspicuous success. Klopp nevertheless argued that it will be hard for Guardiola to spring a surprise. “We are all kind of predictable so it is not that we have a rabbit in our pocket and pull it out,” he said. “It is football, all the pitches are the same size and it is super interesting.” He knows City want the ball and where they want it. The challenge lies in concentration and organisation, in when to try to take it off them, how and whether Liverpool can spring a break. “Now it is about each space on the pitch you give them on the pitch that they want to explore,” he said. “They really want to play. They are the one team who have four at the back and one of them is the goalkeeper. They don’t only play around their own box, they move slightly higher as well. If we have a solution for that, they will step back and adapt.” Guardiola can seem the control freak of the pair, Klopp the man with a brand of chaos theory. Yet he presented himself as the organiser, the defensive strategist, and the City manager as the ranter and raver. “I am not sure how deep you have to go into our personality to see what we are like,” he said. “I am 56 and I still don't know who I am but Pep is for sure this type of guy who likes to get angry with his boys if they don't want the ball. I have that a little bit. For me, I love to organise other things to get advantage from that and that is deep in my personality.” And that personality, over the years, has equipped him for the seemingly impossible task of facing Guardiola. Read More Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool can benefit from Alexis Mac Allister’s deeper role Jamie Carragher explains how new Trent Alexander-Arnold role can leave Liverpool vulnerable How Pep Guardiola borrowed from Jurgen Klopp to elevate Manchester City Pep Guardiola puts Jurgen Klopp on pedestal as ‘by far’ his biggest career rival Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool can benefit from Alexis Mac Allister’s deeper role Mohamed Salah ‘a completely different animal’ for Liverpool before Man City clash