THIRST Pep wants to stay ‘forever’ to continue duel with Reds

PEP GUARDIOLA has credited his unique rivalry with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp as one of the driving forces behind Manchester City’s phenomenal success.

And he insisted the battle has been so enjoyable that he would gladly sign up for another 10 years of it if he could.

Guardiola was in a generous mood ahead of the two clubs’ seismic top-of-thetable clash at the Etihad tomorrow.

He talked extensively of his admiration for Klopp’s teams – from Borussia Dortmund through to Liverpool – and his competitive spirit, then offered a warm appreciation of the German’s character.

Asked about the chance of sharing a glass of wine after the game, Guardiola said: “If we win I’d love it. He’s said many times we’re a rich club so the wine will be perfect, high-quality.”

Aside from that tongue-incheek shot, he was effusive about a rivalry he likened to Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer in tennis, one which had driven him to scale heights with City that otherwise may not have happened.

Guardiola said: “I will remember this period here when I’m retired and watching and playing golf that my biggest rival was Liverpool, for sure. Absolutely we wouldn’t be as good but for them.

“When they are just behind pushing, you have to make another step.And in the last five years they have been the biggest opponent. They have been an incredible, marvellous contender, with good games.

“Jurgen, as a manager, has been the biggest rival I’ve ever had in my career and I think what both teams propose is good for football.” Asked whether the competition surpassed the clashes with Real Madrid during his time with Barcelona, Guardiola agreed it did.

“The point is not a jibe to Jose [Mourinho, below]. He’s an exciting manager and I was his rival but I’ve been here five years and played many times against Liverpool,” the Spaniard said.

“With Bayern Munich I faced Jurgen for one year. In the Premier League, except the year we made 100 points [in 201718], then they made 99 [in 2019-20 when City had 81], the rest were tight.

“It was because they are good and hopefully they think we are good too. The credit I give to both teams is their consistency through the years.

“This is the most difficult thing in sport and that’s why Federer, Nadal, [Novak] Djokovic and athletes around the world, when they are there every year that makes me the most proud.”

Guardiola is out of contract at the end of next season but admitted that if City put a 10-year deal on the table tomorrow he would sign it straight away.

“I’m willing to stay forever,” he said. “There cannot be a better place to be.”

Although a draw will keep City a point ahead with seven games left, Guardiola claimed there was no way he would send his team out with that in mind.

Sarcastically, he said: “Yeah, we trained to sit back for 90 minutes, to get a 0-0.

“Never in my life have I thought about this, except when there’s five minutes left and we have to defend to keep the result.”