Micah Richards has claimed that he never would have thought Jurgen Klopp’s achievements at Liverpool would have been possible.
Debating whether Klopp or Pep Guardiola is the better manager for BBC Sport’s MOTD Top 10 series, Richards hailed the Liverpool boss’ impact.
“If you think what Klopp’s done since he’s come to Liverpool, you’d never thought that would happen – ever,” said the pundit. “Winning a league, wining the Champions League, Club World Cup, what he’s done has been astonishing.”
Weighing in on the Pep vs Klopp question, Richards said that who is the better coach is simply down to a matter of taste.
“I think they’re both on a par. It depends what style of play you like. Man City play better football, but Liverpool are more entertaining, more dynamic,” said the former City defender.
Guardiola yet to commit
Of course Liverpool fans can now look forward to many more years of hopefully continued success under Klopp. The manager put all questions over his future to bed last week, signing a new deal until 2026 with The Reds.
Whether or not Guardiola will match him on that remains to be seen.
As things stand, next season is set to be Pep’s last at the Etihad. Although that could be a relief for the rest of the Premier League, Liverpool included, it would still be a shame to cut short this burgeoning rivalry.
The two managers are surely the best in the game at the moment. Picking between them is impossible for the neutral. Their tussles at the top of the Premier League over the last few years are already legendary.
City’s quality under the Spaniard has also helped to push Liverpool on to greater heights with Klopp at the helm.
Two of the greats
The Reds may be the team set to benefit most from Guardiola calling it a day next year. But there is something special about seeing two of the greats battle it out on a yearly basis.
Regardless of whoever is in charge at City, their resources mean that they will never struggle to compete. To beat them under any stewardship should be seen as a big achievement.
When beating them whilst managed by the man who many regard to be the best coach of all time, though, it takes on extra meaning.
Klopp and this Liverpool team are good enough to go toe-to-toe with any team under any manager. Guardiola has seen that first-hand on many occasions.
If he does decide to walk away in 2023, hopefully it won’t be the last we see of these two great managers locking horns.