Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are moving on to something new, marking the end of an era.

After a triumphant finish to the match, an enthusiastic Jurgen Klopp sat down with reporters and was questioned about his desire to continue as manager. While he reaffirmed his decision to depart at the end of the season, there may have been a small tinge of remorse – yet also satisfaction – as his team delivered an exceptional performance against Manchester City, their last opponent in the league under his leadership. Though Klopp has a tendency to exaggerate in these moments, his statement was not without merit. There were also additional factors at play, as the German pointed out, such as the state of the squad.

The strategy and determination were also crucial factors. In previous impactful games against City, especially in 2017-18, Klopp’s team took advantage of the limited opportunities presented by Pep Guardiola’s team. While these performances were impressive, they lacked true domination. As Klopp stated, they typically secured victories through counter-attacks.

This was a unique match. It was one of Liverpool’s most impressive performances against City, as they controlled possession and the field. The period after half-time was exceptional, as Guardiola’s team seemed unsettled. It was a rare occasion where it seemed like the champions were lucky to escape with a win, despite nearly scoring with Jeremy Doku’s shot hitting the post.

This could typically create the feeling that Liverpool will regret this tie, but that was not the case after the match.

Klopp stated that the performance of our midfield was one of the highlights of my coaching career. He was impressed that we were able to hold our own against them. The boys showed great determination and passion, and the atmosphere was amazing. We secured one point and are motivated to continue our progress.

The most pressing issue is how much progress they can make. Is it simply a matter of contending for the title, or is there a possibility of Liverpool reclaiming the championship in Klopp’s last season? The German coach, unsurprisingly, avoided addressing this question. “What truly matters is our level of performance – and today’s match demonstrated that.”

This fixture was hyped up as another important Liverpool-City game, but it ended without much excitement. It did not have a significant conclusion, but rather established a rhythm without resolving any conflicts.

For months, Liverpool showed potential but doubts remained about their true abilities. However, after their recent victory over City and strong performance despite missing key players, we can confidently say they have proven themselves. It is a significant progress.

The team that has established itself as the one to compete against is Arsenal, even though they are currently ranked higher. After the intense showdown between these longtime rivals, discussions shifted to the realization that the Premier League may have its first true three-team battle in ten years. Both managers were questioned about this possibility, as they have never encountered it before.

This is a new experience for them, which adds to their excitement due to the unknown. They will not only rely on each other, but also explore the challenge posed by Guardiola’s initial reaction.

He stated that our previous Premier Leagues will not be belittled, and once again emphasized the idea of “credit”.

The ongoing dispute has caused a lot of concern among the people of Catalonia recently, and one can’t help but wonder if this is connected to the widespread admiration for the departing Klopp. When asked, Klopp himself reflected on whether he had ever been part of a three-way competition and confirmed he had not.

Both managers expressed the same message with enthusiasm, and both had nothing but praise for their opponent. They both had high regard for Arsenal.

Guardiola expressed excitement over the fact that Mikel Arteta’s team can typically achieve a 3-0 lead within 25 minutes, highlighting their recent ability to overpower opponents. Klopp echoed this sentiment, mentioning how Arsenal is currently performing at their best.

He went on to say “City is City,” a brief phrase that may hold the utmost significance in this situation.

He was implying that Guardiola’s team is capable of achieving over 85 points effortlessly, often even more, making it the standard that the other two teams must also achieve. This is the crucial element in the entire competition. This is also the reason why Klopp was pleased with the result, but especially the performance. It was a display of their superior quality. Meanwhile, Arsenal is showing signs of improvement from last season and they have truly elevated their game.

It is yet to be determined if it is adequate, but it certainly meets the criteria for being a key aspect of a competitive title race. Following the 1-1 draw, Klopp inquired with the press about the number of remaining matches. There are a total of 10 matches left.

That is generally the point where the title race becomes the title run-in, and everyone starts looking to the remaining fixtures to figure out where points might be dropped.

While often futile, such actions add to the overall enjoyment. Specific events have been designated. One in particular stands out above the others. It will be the time when Klopp simply observes as City and Arsenal battle it out on Easter Sunday.

We will gain a better understanding of the overall image and approach the title itself.

Source: independent.co.uk