Pep Guardiola has always been glowing in his assessment of Liverpool as a rival during his illustrious career in football management.
The Reds pushed his Manchester City team again and again under Jurgen Klopp, and have beaten the Spaniard to two Premier League titles since he arrived in 2016.
Guardiola has pipped Liverpool to plenty more, and with the legendary manager looking like he could finally leave City at the end of the season, few Reds supporters will miss him.
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Alisson before Marseille vs Liverpool - UEFA Champions League
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If it is to be the end of Pep at the Etihad Stadium, though, there is still one thing he would surely love to tick off his bucket list before he goes: to win at Anfield in front of the Liverpool fans.
Because, as he prepares to take Man City to Merseyside for what could be his last time on Sunday, it is fascinating to note that Guardiola’s record at Anfield is decidedly terrible.
Pep Guardiola has only won once at Anfield
Given all he has achieved with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Man City after beginning his career in 2008, there is a genuine argument that Guardiola is the greatest manager of all-time.
It has been a privilege to watch his City team in the Premier League for so long, even if it has come at the expense of Liverpool on far too many occasions.
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-MAN CITY
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Thankfully, Liverpool have at least often been able to get their own back on Guardiola and City on their home turf.
The Manchester club have visited Anfield 10 times in all competitions under the former Barca boss, winning only once. That that victory came without any fans in the ground is surely not a coincidence and is something that you just know will be eating at Guardiola.
Liverpool have won six of the meetings, drawing a further three, and if they add to those victories on Sunday, we may see the City manager combust on the sidelines. Or, maybe he’ll decide to stay another season and see out his contract in the hope of finally getting that elusive full Anfield win next year.
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Should we have signed Cherki instead? 😬
Florian Wirtz applauds fans after Liverpool's UEFA Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at Deutsche Bank Park (Credit: Getty Images/Christian Kaspar-Bartke).
Rayan Cherki celebrates after scoring for Manchester City during their Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Rob Newell - CameraSport).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Rob Newell – CaemeraSport
Will Guardiola really leave Man City?
In fairness to Guardiola, he has always been vocal about his admiration for the Anfield crowd and his visit has usually inspired supporters to bring their very best to the stadium on matchday.
Hopefully they can do that for one final time and give the Spaniard a send-off fitting with his previous trips to the stadium.
Clearly, with a contract until 2027, Guardiola could return next season, but according to ESPN, there is a growing feeling that he will walk away at the end of the current campaign.
The Catalan appears determined not to confirm or deny any such rumours, but maybe we’ll get an indication whatever the result on Sunday.
Anfield feels like it’s both Guardiola’s favourite and least favourite place to visit in all of world football. If this is the last dance, he may be unable to hide it, whichever way it goes.
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