Jurgen Klopp labels Pep Guardiola "the outstanding manager" of his lifetime

The two coaching masterminds of their generation have developed an intense yet respectful rivalry spanning across an 11-year period, which began in Germany when Klopp was in charge of Borussia Dortmund and Guardiola led Bayern Munich.

Sunday's blockbuster battle represents the 30th managerial meeting between Klopp and Guardiola and the final time these two coaches will lock horns in the Premier League, as the former will vacate his post as Liverpool boss at the end of the season.

Having already celebrated winning the EFL Cup this season, Klopp is hoping to end his Liverpool reign on a high as he seeks an unprecedented quadruple, while Guardiola's Man City could become the first team to win back-to-back trebles.

Although Klopp has played down the rivalry that has developed between both himself and Guardiola and between Liverpool and Man City, the German was keen to express the admiration he has for his opposite number.

«I don't feel it's a rivalry, but I understand you call it that. We are both competitive and want to win,» Klopp said at a press conference on Friday. «Both blessed with really good players in our teams, that is it. Not a rivalry what we have.

»I do the job myself so I see excellence when I face it, and Pep is definitely that. The way he has influenced football, winning the amount of trophies he was won in his career.

«But if you see him on the touchline he behaves like he has never won before. The desire he has is absolutely outstanding. In my lifetime he is the outstanding manager, definitely.

»He is the best manager