One more sleepless night for Guardiola

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola faces one last sleepless night as he wrestles with the problems posed by his great rival Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp’s bombshell revelation that he will quit as Liverpool manager at the end of this season has given extra gravitas to Sunday’s crucial clash with City at Anfield.

Although Guardiola has won five of the last six Premier League crowns, Klopp has been a constant thorn in his side, with Liverpool’s 2020 title the only break in City’s dynastic reign.

Guardiola revealed the depth of his respect for Klopp when he admitted the German’s departure would make it easier for him to relax before meetings with Liverpool.

“I will sleep better. The games against Liverpool have almost been a nightmare,” said Guardiola, whose second placed team are one point behind leaders Liverpool with 11 games remaining.

Although Klopp and Guardiola also faced off during spells with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich respectively, their time in the Premier League elevated their battle for supremacy to new heights.

The pair have met 15 times in the Premier League since 2016, with Klopp earning four victories and Guardiola claiming five wins.

However, beating Liverpool at Anfield in front of a crowd is one of the few feats still to elude Guardiola as City boss.

The English champions only victory away to Liverpool since 2003 came behind closed doors three years ago.

With so much at stake this weekend, Guardiola will have been shifting restlessly under his duvet this week as he plots one more memorable moment at Klopp’s expense.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Twitter @manchestriconic