No.3: Klopp v Guardiola
There aren’t many managers with a better record than Jurgen Klopp against Pep Guardiola. The two managers have faced off eleven times and currently have a split record; five wins each and a draw.
Nobody has been able to best Guardiola this season. Yet most Premier League managers only have a season and a half of experience against his sides. Three games at most. Klopp’s longer period of facing up with him is an advantage over most other teams in the league.
Most of us will be able to name the Man City side that will walk out at Anfield. With Gabriel Jesus injured there is no real debate about who will start: Ederson; Walker, Otomendi, Stones, Delph; Fernandinho, de Bruyne; Sterling, Silva, Sane; Aguero.
You can book it. While the front three of Liverpool are nailed on – Mane, Firmino, Salah, – there are a number of question marks about who will start. That is not because Klopp doesn’t know his best side but because he has been rotating so heavily.
He has not jus been rotating players for fitness but also for situational advantage. And with almost a fully fit squad he can scheme up a side to take down the Citizens this weekend.