Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp will face each other as Premier League managers for the final time on Sunday when Liverpool host Manchester City.
Assuming the sides don’t meet in the FA Cup later this season - which could still happen - it will also be the last meeting in what has been an era-defining rivalry between Guardiola and Klopp. “Always it was a pleasure - and Sunday will be too, but we will try to win the game,” the City manager reflected ahead of the game.
“The way his teams play football, always you learn. The way they play, the teams play. It will be nice because always it has been and accept the challenge. I respect completely his decision. I spoke with him and I had the feeling he will be back sooner or later.”
The stakes couldn't be much higher for a game that might ultimately determine the destination of the 2023/24 Premier League title. Liverpool currently sit top, a point clear of the champions, while in-form Arsenal are two points off the summit.
City and Liverpool both enjoyed relatively kind midweek European games, with comfortable wins against Copenhagen and Sparta Prague respectively. Guardiola made wholesale changes as his side progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals, with the 3-1 home win providing more than a hint of who could start at Anfield this weekend.
Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden were unused substitutes against Copenhagen, while John Stones came off the bench and Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland were all replaced early.
All eight are expected to be named in City’s starting line-up this weekend, although Matheus Nunes and Jeremy Doku are doubts and Jack Grealish has been ruled out. The lack of wingers could forced a midfield rejig and leave Guardiola with a choice between Mateo Kovacic and Julian Alvarez.
Here’s the XI we think the City boss will select on Sunday…
1. GK: Ederson
Has kept three clean sheets in 15 previous appearances against Liverpool, only one of which came at Anfield.
2. RB: Kyle Walker
One of those given a night off during the week and will almost certainly return to the team on Sunday.
3. CB: John Stones
Earned praise from Jamie Carragher this week ahead of the clash with Liverpool.
4. CB: Ruben Dias
Among those City players who responded to Trent Alexander-Arnold's controversial comments this week.