Pep Guardiola’s Liverpool reply speaks volumes as Jurgen Klopp informed what he needs

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola coached versus one another 30 occasions earlier than the previous Liverpool supervisor retired, and confronted each other extra usually than anybody else

Pep Guardiola speaks during a press conference

Pep Guardiola introduced up Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp unprompted when requested about rivals Actual Madrid (Picture: Alex Pantling – UEFA, UEFA by way of Getty Photos) This text incorporates affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Be taught extra

Pep Guardiola maintains that Liverpool underneath Jurgen Klopp represents the best check of his managerial profession regardless of Actual Madrid eliminating Manchester Metropolis from the Champions League for a 3rd consecutive marketing campaign. Madrid defeated Man Metropolis 5-1 on combination on this yr’s spherical of 16, virtually precisely 13 months after triumphing 6-3 throughout two legs throughout final time period’s knockout part play-offs, having beforehand progressed by way of a penalty shootout two years prior.

The 2 sides have met in 5 straight seasons, and Man Metropolis’s sole triumph arrived in 2023, once they secured their maiden Champions League trophy. That 5-1 combination victory got here barely 12 months after a 6-5 defeat that denied them the chance to face Klopp’s Reds in Paris.

Guardiola has confronted Madrid extra usually than another opponent within the Champions League with Man Metropolis, 13 occasions in whole. Klopp’s Liverpool, nonetheless, are nonetheless thought to be the more durable proposition.

When questioned by a Spanish journalist whether or not the fixtures with Madrid have been the best check of his profession, Guardiola responded: “No.” He continued, as translated from Spanish into English through the post-match press convention: “Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool was my largest problem, you virtually do not realise what it was prefer to face Liverpool.”

Klopp speaks equally warmly of Guardiola. He recorded a video message earlier than the Catalan supervisor reached 1,000 matches.

“So, yeah, one other legendary membership you’re a member of now, onto the following 1000. OK, all the greatest, communicate quickly and have an exquisite celebration, perhaps you may have fun it with a glass of pink wine.”