I miss Jurgen! Manchester City boss Guardiola rues absence of old adversary Klopp but pleased it’s Liverpool for landmark game

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is delighted his 1000th game in management will come against traditional Premier League rivals Liverpool and warned table-topping Arsenal that “nobody wins the title in November”.

Guardiola will reach the landmark figure on Sunday when City host the Merseysiders at the Etihad. Arne Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League crown last season but much of Guardiola’s time in England was spent battling with his Reds predecessor Jurgen Klopp.

“If I could choose one rival for this personal milestone that I want to share with many, many people – they [Liverpool] would be the best,” he said.

“I have been a long time in this country. Of course, Barcelona and the impact it had on my life as a ball boy, football player and manager. Of course, Bayern was an incredible step.

“But Liverpool, especially with Jurgen, have been the biggest rival in this country and it could not be better. The destiny of the universe.”

Jurgen gave me a lot – Guardiola

He added of Klopp, who now heads up the football operation for the Red Bull network of clubs: “What happened with the Jurgen period means this has been the biggest because maybe after the first season the Premier League was between us and them.

“Always I enjoyed this healthy rivalry. I always had the feeling of how much we respected each other. Jurgen gave me a lot and I miss him. He gave me a lot in terms of how much I had to do to try and beat him.”

It was all doom and gloom at Liverpool following the home defeat to Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup just over a week ago – their sixth loss in seven games – but, since then, they have beaten Aston Villa and Real Madrid.

Guardiola added: “I know how quickly things change. One week ago it was Liverpool ‘disaster, disaster’ and now they win two and it’s ‘are they back to their best?’ I’m sure the managers take a little bit more perspective of the situation.

“Always in a season there are ups and down.”

Guardiola praises Arteta and Arsenal

Between them, City and Liverpool have won the last eight Premier League titles but both are currently chasing Arsenal, who are six points clear at the summit having won their last five league games on the bounce.

Guardiola is impressed by the work done by Mikel Arteta but insists there is still an awful long way to go.

“If they continue to play games and not concede goals, it will be almost impossible,” he said.

“Always you expect that you can be better and they will drop points. All we can do is win our games and get closer.

“The last two or three years, after the process to rebuild the club and the team, they [Arsenal] are there. It is exceptional what they are doing for two or three seasons.

“But it is early November. Nobody wins the title in early November. You can lose it – but nobody wins it.”

Rodri won’t be risked

City are unlikely to welcome back last year’s Ballon d’Or winner Rodri from injury for the game.

“We will see tomorrow but we will not take a risk,” said Guardiola. “We have the international break afterwards and you have to find the moment to feel strong and fit and sustain the actions in the game that are so demanding.

“We’re still in November, the best part of the season is ahead of us. He is a massively important player for us and we are desperate to have him back, while knowing Nico [Gonzalez] has became a really important and good player.”

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