LONDON: Pep Guardiola sat down at his post-match press conference on Wednesday, ecstatic Merseyside voices still ringing in his ears, and proclaimed Jurgen Klopp as the “best manager in the world for spectators,” citing the German’s overtly attack-minded approach.
Klopp’s side had just ripped apart his Premier League champions-elect in a breathtaking display of attacking verve and style in what was one of the most complete Liverpool performances since the charismatic German took over at Anfield.
As we have come to expect from the Catalan, it was a gracious testimony. But it was also one he has had to offer Klopp far too often. Wednesday’s half-hour blitz of the City back-four led to Klopp’s seventh victory in 13 games against Guardiola, the best record of any coach. A few years ago, their Bundesliga battles were stuff of legend — their eight clashes in Germany produced 22 goals — as was this season’s Premier League encounter, which Liverpool won 4-3.
After Liverpool had gone 3-0 up it was clear that Guardiola’s team selection was all wrong. From the outset, the Spaniard showed too much respect to Liverpool with his decision to drop Raheem Sterling and go with a slightly more defensive line-up. That has not been the “City way” at all this season, where Guardiola’s charges swarm all over teams from the first whistle until the last.
It was Klopp’s team that launched wave after relentless wave at the City back-four, who could not cope. They lost their shape and appeared devoid of any idea as to how to wrestle back control. By the time Guardiola pushed Kevin de Bruyne forward and brought Sterling on in the second half, the damage was already done.
Klopp has Guardiola’s number simply by giving Guardiola a taste of his own medicine, the German knows no other way of playing other than attack. What Liverpool’s barnstorming barrage shows is that, when push comes to shove, nor does Guardiola.
Too often this season, teams have rolled out the red carpet, allowed City to play and been thrashed as a result.
Once the dust settles on what could have been a quadruple-winning season for City, other teams in England and in Europe should watch a re-run of Wednesday’s match. They will see that if you play Guardiola at his own game, his teams unravel. Guardiola remains one of the best coaches in the business, Wednesday does not change that. But it is clear there is room for improvement for the perfectionist yet.