The constant changes in tactics by Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp make the occasions when Man City faces Liverpool the most exciting battles in the Premier League.
"Man City v Liverpool is the Premier League's number one fixture of the last decade," the Premier League website commented. "Not just for the technical quality or the typical basketball-style entertainment of the game, but also for the ever-evolving tactical sophistication of the battles between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. History will record them as two of the best and most influential managers of the 21st century."
Guardiola and Klopp have faced each other 28 times, more than any other manager in their careers. They have also beaten each other more than anyone else: Klopp has 11 wins, Guardiola 10.
Guardiola (left) and Klopp will battle it out for the 29th time in the earliest match of round 13 of the Premier League, taking place at 12:30 today London time.
Here's a look at Klopp's history with Guardiola, the recent tactical tweaks that have shaped their head-to-head record and how today's clash at the Etihad could play out.
Guardiola and Klopp inspire each other. There have been plenty of impressive results and spectacular performances when Man City have played Liverpool over the years. From Liverpool’s 3-0 win in the Champions League in April 2018 to Man City’s 5-0 win in September 2017. From John Stones’ goal-line save in the 2018-19 Premier League season with the ball still on the line by a fraction (12mm) to Liverpool’s classic 4-3 win at Anfield in January 2018.
These results have come about because Klopp and Guardiola have constantly learned from each other, be it grasping ideas, tweaking tactics to exploit mistakes or adapting to new and clever variations in opponents.
In fact, the two became so closely linked that the story of their time in England can be told as a gradual movement towards the other's way of thinking.
Klopp was friendly with Guardiola before the Premier League match at Etihad Stadium on April 1, 2023. Photo: Reuters
When the two managers first arrived in the Premier League (Klopp in 2015 and Guardiola in 2016), they were each the epitome of their homeland’s tactical ideals. Klopp was renowned for his gegenpressing style – sharp counter-attacks and all-out pressing. Guardiola, meanwhile, favoured possession and wanted total control.
Fast forward eight years and through ideas shared in the heat of battle, Guardiola and Klopp have blurred those lines. Guardiola, with Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku up front, has never been more open to counter-attacking than he is now. Klopp has undergone a transfer revolution, bringing in ball-playing midfielders who value control of play.
The unexpected experiments of 2021-2022. The journey to that common ground has been a series of adjustments, and they have not slowed down over time. Looking back at two big Premier League games in 2021-2022 will help to clarify what happened last season.
In the 2-2 draw at Anfield in October 2021, Liverpool used a surprising tactic of playing long balls behind the Man City defence - a play that inadvertently allowed the visitors to flourish. In this match, Jack Grealish played the role of a "false 9", often drifting left and linking up with Phil Foden to target Liverpool's weak link at the time, James Milner. And Klopp's team was suppressed. That set the tone for a chaotic and tense match, with high technical quality but clumsy tactical play.
Grealish's touchlines during Man City's 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield in December 2021.
In the replay, which also ended in a 2-2 draw at the Etihad, Guardiola experimented with Liverpool's long ball style. City were more direct than usual, looking to exploit the space behind Liverpool's high defence. This approach proved effective with Gabriel Jesus scoring the second goal.
Map of Man City's key passes in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the Etihad in April 2022. Blue is a bad pass, black is an interception, yellow leads to a goal, red is a save by the opposing goalkeeper.
But just as in the first meeting, Liverpool took control in the second half by pressing high and accepting the chaos caused by Man City's more direct approach. The visitors tied the score early in the second half through Sadio Mane.
The new variations continue in 2022-23. Once again, the impact of the direct confrontation on the next match is clear, as Guardiola no longer uses long balls and out of control.
Instead, the Spanish coach adjusted his tactics to a 3-5-2 formation with Joao Cancelo and Phil Foden as wing-backs. Man City played tight, squeezed through the middle and sometimes had five defenders, not wanting things to get out of hand.
Liverpool also learned from the previous game, positioning their defence deeper to limit the space available. The game was tight until Guardiola pushed Bernardo Silva higher up the pitch. After a series of chances created by both sides, the difference came when Mohamed Salah beat Cancelo, met Alisson's long pass, then broke free to score the only goal of the game with goalkeeper Ederson in a one-on-one situation.
Man City's 3-5-2 formation when playing Liverpool in October 2022 at Anfield.
The lesson Klopp took from this victory seems to be that Liverpool played better in an open game and Man City were drawn into a transition battle. This is probably the most reasonable reason why the German coach used an unimaginable 4-2-4 formation and then suffered a 1-4 defeat when traveling to the Etihad in April 2023.
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were simply outplayed in midfield. Meanwhile, with Haaland injured, Guardiola used Julian Alvarez as a false nine to provide extra personnel in midfield. Liverpool were overwhelmed as City – using Alvarez to turn transitions into quick counter-attacks – found a way to better exploit Klopp’s high line.
Alvarez's passing map in the match between Man City and Liverpool in April 2023.
"Liverpool's long ball style, then Man City copying this style. Man City's defensive-minded back five, then Liverpool playing with a gap in midfield. The intensity and tactical sophistication of this big game always seems to cause a reaction to every previous match, and moreover, both sides have to think too much," commented the Premier League homepage.
What could happen today? It will be difficult to predict the tactical battle exactly. No one can predict what Klopp or Guardiola will do next in this fascinating series. But weaknesses, vulnerabilities and injury concerns can help to shed light on what the two managers might be thinking today.
Klopp may adopt a cautious approach after the defeat at the Etihad in April, meaning he has to choose between Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back. Up front, the German could opt for Diogo Jota or Cody Gakpo as false strikers to support the midfield, only giving Darwin Nunez a chance in the second half.
On the other hand, the 4-4 draw at Chelsea on 12 November could prompt Guardiola to change his approach. At Stamford Bridge that day, Rodri was isolated in midfield, allowing Chelsea to play an attacking game - something Guardiola dislikes. Therefore, the Spanish coach could choose two central midfielders. But he has few options, with John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes all absent.
"Injuries to both teams are enough to complicate things. The messy and complicated history of the Guardiola-Klopp rivalry makes it almost impossible to envision the tactical battle. All we can say, with absolute confidence, is that this will be another spectacular game," commented the Premier League homepage.
Hong Duy (according to premierleague.com )
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