‘We are not friends’ – Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on having a cordial relationship with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola recently explained his relationship with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after their sides play out a 2-2 draw in the Premier League top clash. Manchester City took the lead two times as Klopp’s men were ready with the comebacks.

Kevin de Bruyne helped Manchester City take the lead against the Reds in the fifth minute of the game. However, Liverpool’s Diogo Jota came up with the reply in the 13th minute. Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus hand Pep Guardiola’s men the lead once again in the 36th minute and they enter the dressing room at halftime with the lead in hand.

But all of that got nullified when Sadio Mane came up with the equaliser instantly in the 46th minute. After that, Raheem Sterling scored a goal but it was judged offside by VAR. Liverpool held on as Riyad Mahrez missed a last-minute sitter to end the game with only a point.

After the match, Pep Guardiola shared how he has a cordial relationship with Jurgen Klopp and how the German pushes him to be a better coach every day. He also adds how they are not friends so they don’t take lunch together. But they have respect for each other.

Next Saturday will be another big clash between Manchester City and Liverpool as they go head to head again in the FA Cup semifinals in Wembley.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Guardiola explained his relationship stance with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. He said, “I respect Jurgen [Klopp] so much. He has made me a better manager. We are not friends – we don’t lunch together – I have his number, but I don’t call him. There is respect – he knows next Saturday, I will try to beat him.”

The target for both managers is to win multiple trophies this season which also include the FA Cup and the Premier League. Both the teams are also in the Champions League quarterfinals. While Liverpool have won the Champions League under Klopp’s tutelage, Guardiola has struggled to make it big on the continental stage with the Citizens.

These clubs are extremely blessed that they have two of the best managers in charge of their teams as it is already called one of the title rivalries that will go down in the rich Premier League history as one of the best.