Pep Guardiola snubs Jose Mourinho to label Jurgen Klopp his ‘biggest rival’ before Man City vs Liverpool

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has called Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp the biggest managerial adversary of his career.

The Reds visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday lunchtime for the latest instalment of a classic rivalry that has so often gone a long way to deciding the destination of the Premier League title.

City go into the game one point ahead of Klopp’s side, who look their most realistic title challengers, even if Guardiola says Arsenal and Tottenham are also in the race.

Guardiola has had some battles over the years, notably with former Real Madrid and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho, but says Klopp has made him a better manager.

Asked if the German was his biggest rival, he said: “Yes, by far. Because we have faced each other a thousand million times.

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola meet again on Saturday (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“Absolutely, he made me better, he helped me reflect on a lot of things with the problems they have created for us.

“It’s part of when you are many years in this business, him and his teams, here and Borussia Dortmund have always been big rivals, good games for both, both teams have a positive approach to the games and always [play] attractive [football].

“I’m pretty sure he made me a better manager through his teams, and of course, the way we play for them is good with the transitions, they have a lot of space in behind, they are fantastic with the runs, they are a fantastic team, fantastic legs, a top side, no doubt.”

After a poor season last year, where they missed out on Champions League qualification, Klopp’s Liverpool side are almost back to their best and look certain challengers for the title.

“Absolutely,” Guardiola said on the Reds’ role in the title race. “Arsenal will be too, I see them as so, so solid. Spurs even, the two defeats they had lately, the feeling when I see the way they are playing and with one game a week, I think they will be there.

“Chelsea start to recover and have one game a week. I think the four or five contenders are there. I don’t know if Newcastle will join, maybe United will join us but many things can happen.”