3 hours ago
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Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp has sent a message to Pep Guardiola ahead of the Manchester City boss taking charge of his 1000th game as a manager.
Guardiola will take on Arne Slot's side at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday looking to close the gap to Arsenal at the top of the table, and in doing so, he will reach the four-figure milestone. The Gunners are gearing up to face Sunderland today.
"Hello, my friend. Welcome to the 1000 club," Klopp says in a video message on Sky Sports. "I can't believe that you look that young and you already reached this incredible landmark.
"I probably don't have to say that I reached it 81 games ago but that is probably the only time when I arrived before you. It's all good.
"I said it a million times: it was a pleasure and it was an honor to face you that often during our career. The most difficult games, but anyhow, the games I enjoyed the most.
"You are — you were and you are — an inspiration to all of us. The way that you understand football is pretty much second to none. The desire you show every day is absolutely outstanding.
"So, yeah. Another legendary club that you are a member of now. Onto the next 1000! All the best. Speak soon and have a wonderful celebration. Maybe you celebrate it with a glass of red wine."
Guardiola mentioned Klopp during his pre-match press conference on Friday, with the German one of his biggest sporting rivals, especially when they were in the Premier League, but also in Germany.
"Liverpool, especially under Jurgen, has been my biggest rival in this country," Guardiola said. "It could not be better, to be honest. The best in the universe decides this.
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"It’s nice to live in and I know how quickly, things go here. One week ago, Liverpool had six defeats — disaster — and now they have won two, they are the best.
"I am pretty sure that all the managers have a little bit more perspective in this situation and know they have ups and downs. I have a high opinion of Liverpool right now, last season and when they were losing six games in seven. It’s the same.
"I think we push Liverpool to be better and Liverpool pushed us to be better. That’s for sure."
Liverpool.com says: Klopp and Guardiola brought the best out of each other and the peak version of their teams should be given more respect. In time, they will both go down as some of the top sides the Premier League has ever seen.
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