How Jurgen Klopp convinced loyal Liverpool servant to join Pep Guardiola at Man City

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola were two sides of one of the Premier League’s greatest ever rivalries, but the ex-Liverpool boss always respected the man responsible for Man City’s success.

It feels a long time since Klopp left Liverpool after nine years at the helm.

Despite the success Liverpool have experienced in his absence, the German is sorely missed at Anfield.

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His name came up again on Friday, when a recent Man City arrival outlined how Klopp convinced him to make the controversial switch to the Etihad.

Pep Lijnders tells Jurgen Klopp story about Man City move

At Klopp’s side for the best years at Liverpool, Pep Lijnders left at the same time to pursue his own managerial career.

He went to Red Bull Salzburg, but it wasn’t the success he was expecting. After being dismissed by the Austrian side, he joined Guardiola at the start of the season.

Speaking to the press ahead of Man City’s clash with Spurs, Lijnders explained how Klopp convinced him to make the move.

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The Dutch coach wasn’t averse to the move despite the existing rivalry, and his old boss felt the same. He recalled: “When I spoke to Jurgen, he said if I don’t take it, he will!”

The notion of Klopp as Guardiola’s number two is as ridiculous as it is terrifying. It was a way to tell Lijnders that this is the right move for him.

Man City’s Liverpool-esque shift

Since Lijnders’ arrival, his fingerprints can be seen both on how City are playing and the kinds of players they are pursuing.

Preference for the likes of Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku out wide is a Salah/Mane kind of approach — direct, dangerous inside forwards. A deviation from the likes of Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva or Phil Foden out wide.

Liverpool and City were always pitted against each other both in the standings and in terms of the kind of football they wanted to play.

Now that a huge piece of that Liverpool puzzle is fighting for the other side, we may see the gap in philosophy close. That’s why Guardiola wanted Lijnders in the first place.

Neither side are where they want to be this season, but both have recruited exciting, young talents who should be playing at the top level for years to come.

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