City hosts Jürgen Klopp’s team with the champions now just one point ahead of the challengers. In the last four seasons, the title has been claimed by both clubs – City won three and Liverpool one. Guardiola was asked how long the competition could last and if it was comparable to those of heavyweight boxers Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in the 1970s and tennis players Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer over the past two decades. “Yes, but Nadal, Federer and [Novak] “Djokovic was 20 years old and we are five years old,” he said of the duration of the rivalries. “Footballers run faster and so maintaining success is more difficult than other sports. When I retire and watch and play golf, I will remember that the biggest rivalry was with Liverpool. When you score 100 points and 98 points [in two of City’s title-winning seasons] you need someone to push from behind to be so close. You have to take another step. “ Guardiola added: “Most of the praise I give is for consistency all these years. Both City and Liverpool were four or five years old [at the top]. “That’s why Federer, Nadal, Djokovic have been at the top for so long – consistency.” Klopp’s success with Borussia Dortmund when Guardiola was at Bayern Munich means that the German has more wins against the City coach than anyone else, but has none since November 2019. Guardiola, who also led for four years, he insisted that he always thrived on rivalries. “Real Madrid made Barcelona better,” he said. “Dortmund with Jürgen and [then Thomas] Tuchel. “Here, Manchester United and Chelsea change coaches, but Liverpool and Jürgen have always been here.” Despite the high stakes of Sunday’s competition, Guardiola will be particularly relaxed for him, joking about how the opening start at 4.30pm. may clash with the cover of Tiger Woods playing at the Masters golf course. “I’m sleeping like a baby this year,” said the Catalan. “I’m looking forward to Sunday… tomorrow [Saturday] “It would have been better – I’m a little upset with the Premier League because they put the game in when Tiger Woods came back.” Guardiola also targeted Klopp with a good sense of humor when asked if the German could be asked for a drink after the match. “If we win, I will like it – I will invite him,” he said. “Jürgen makes world football a better place to live. His message, and he is a huge competitor. He knows, we talked together in Germany, about my admiration for what he does, the message and the way his teams play. He is a good kid and I have no problem with him, absolutely not. And he has said many times that we are a rich club, so the wine will be perfect, of high quality “. Guardiola had earlier dismissed Klopp as the best coach in the world. “I am not, thank you very much, but I am not,” he said. “I would like to tell him that I am the best, but I am not. If we were successful, it’s because of my staff, my incredible teams, the amount of money – as our opponents want to hear – and the hard work and talented players. I still have the learning process and I became a coach to be on the field [only]. » The Fiver: subscribe and receive our daily football email. He was also asked about a report linking him to work in Brazil. “Not today, come on. I’m on contract here, I’m very happy here. “I am willing to stay here forever,” said Guardiola. “I would extend the contract for 10 years – I do not know where it comes from.” Despite the fact that Liverpool need to win to reach the top of the standings, City will not play for a draw. “To get 0-0, I never, ever in my life thought about that,” he said.
