MY ACCOUNT
Pep Guardiola says he will cherish the memories of Manchester City’s rivalry with Liverpool when the Spaniard eventually calls time on his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
The two sides meet in a blockbuster Premier League clash in the battle for the title on Sunday, with the champions leading the in-form Reds by just a point.
It will be the first of two encounters between Guardiola and long-time managerial rival Jurgen Klopp this month, with the pair then set to square off in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
They could also lock horns in the Champions League, as both clubs lead their quarter-final ties after the first leg.
Guardiola continues to relish pitting his wits against Liverpool boss Klopp.
“In my period here, what I will remember is the rivalry with Liverpool,” he told Sky Sports. “That’s for sure. We raised the standards.
“We got 100 points, before that the example was around 80 to 91. After we got 100 it was 98, Liverpool with 97 and then 99.
“So now teams know you have to go 90-100 points to have the chance to be champion. We write that level, and we pushed each other.
“Sir Alex [Ferguson, with Manchester United] and [Arsene] Wenger [with Arsenal] were there so many years together – 26 and 22 – we are here with less time doing this.”
Liverpool have already won the EFL Cup this term and are eyeing an unprecedented quadruple.
The Merseyside club have won 10 consecutive Premier League games and Guardiola knows City will have their work cut out trying to keep their potent forwards quiet.
“The threats that they have in front – they had an incredible three players [in Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino],” he added.
“Now [they have] an incredible five with Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, plus Divock Origi who always scores when they need to make decisive goals.
“We don’t have a proper striker, but it is what it is. We still score a lot of goals in our way, we still concede few, so we’re going to continue to do it.”
