Manchester City's Pep Guardiola 'accepts Anfield challenge' against Liverpool

This blockbuster meeting represents the final time these two managerial masterminds will lock horns in the Premier League, as Klopp has announced that he will be stepping down from his post as Liverpool boss at the end of the season.

With 11 games remaining, Liverpool currently sit at the Premier League summit, just one point ahead of reigning champions Man City, who are bidding to win an unprecedented fourth successive title.

The competitive rivalry between Klopp and Guardiola has stretched across an 11-year period, beginning in Germany with the former managing Borussia Dortmund and the latter taking charge of Bayern Munich.

Klopp and Guardiola will meet for the 30th time in all competitions on Sunday, and the Man City boss is once again looking forward to testing his mettle against a fellow manager he admires greatly.

Discussing Klopp's decision to leave Liverpool at a press conference on Friday, Guardiola said: «I respect completely his decision. I spoke with him and I had the feeling he will be back sooner or later.

»He is a man who loves football. His passion is there. He explained perfectly the reason why [he is leaving].

«In the Premier League it's the last time, but maybe in the FA Cup, we can find [each other] and we will see. Always it was a pleasure (to face Klopp) and Sunday will be too, but we will try to win the game.»

Asked about the difficulties of playing at Anfield and whether the atmosphere will reach new heights now that Klopp is leaving this summer, Guardiola said: «I don't know, we will see on Sunday.

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