Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Pep’s got Eu under his skin
FORMER Manchester City star Micah Richards believes that Jurgen Klopp’s European success with Liverpool has got under Pep Guardiola’s skin.
Guardiola twice made Barcelona kings of Europe, but has been unable to repeat that success with either Bayern Munich or City.
The Catalan landed a hat-trick of Bundesliga titles in Germany. In England, he has led City to back-to-back titles, a unique quadruple of Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Community Shield and a 100-point season.
But ahead of City’s trip to Anfield today,
Richards reckons that the sight of Kop captain
Jordan Henderson lifting the European Cup for Liverpool in 2019 would have rankled with the City boss.
Richards, who will be giving his expert opinion on Sky
Sports today, said: “What Klopp has done – Champions League Final, Champions League winner and Premier League winner – has been absolutely incredible.
“Everyone has always talked about Pep from his Barcelona days. Then when he went to Bayern.
“Then when he went to City. But he hasn’t won the Champions League for what, 10 years? Klopp comes to
Liverpool and within his five-year spell he’s won the Champions League.
“So, of course, it’s going to get under your skin, no matter if you admit it or not.”
Richards (below) – a Premier League winner with City in 2012 – doesn’t think the title will be decided at Anfield, but believes Guardiola’s men could seal the deal inside a month.
He added: “If it’s a draw I think Liverpool are definitely still in it. City’s next fixtures are vital. First Liverpool, then Spurs and Arsenal.
“If they come through that spell, then they will be title winners.”