Guardiola: Liverpool is the biggest hurdle, Arsenal can wait—City eye a pivotal clash

Key moments from Guardiola's press conference

Spanish coach Pep Guardiola faced the press on Friday to discuss his team's preparation for Sunday's clash with Liverpool. The meeting will take place at the Etihad Stadium as part of the 11th round of the Premier League.

City sit on 19 points, second in the table, one point above Liverpool in third, while Arsenal lead the standings with 25 points.

Ahead of his 1,000th managerial game, Guardiola said that "Liverpool is the biggest rival for him in England" since his arrival at City in 2016. "I think we pushed Liverpool to a higher level, and they did the same with us... that's for sure," he added.

Guardiola on history with Klopp and the season ahead

He recalled memories of facing Klopp's side, noting that the rivalry was perhaps the fiercest and that he enjoyed it. "I miss him; he made me push to win," he said.

He explained that he has tried to make his team play in his own way, but adjusted many things because of the players available. "I always try to finish games by killing the opponent, but I've changed several ideas due to the players," he added.

When asked about his favorite match, he replied: "I can't choose one; there are memories both sweet and sour, and every season brings something different."

On his first match as a coach, Guardiola admitted he was nervous, perhaps more anxious than today. "That moment was a long time ago; I probably don't remember it clearly," he said.

Asked about the title race this season, he replied: "All we can do is win our games and approach the leaders, while Arsenal must come here to face us."

Guardiola praised Arsenal's approach, noting that they have been building a club and a team over several years, doing extraordinary work in the last three seasons. But we are still in early November, and no team wins the title at this stage.

Regarding Rodri's injury, he said: "We will see his readiness tomorrow, but we will probably not risk him before the international break." He added that "we still need him, but Nico Gonzalez has become a really important player."

The coach argued that his side's wins in the last three matches have helped him improve even more.

Genius who sparked a football revolution

Guardiola is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in football history, thanks to his evolving tactical thought and impressive achievements with every club he has led.

From Barcelona in 2008, when his game plan reshaped football with possession, high pressing, and rapid passing—often called "tiki-taka" by the world—he led Barca to a golden era: 14 titles in four seasons, including two Champions Leagues (2009, 2011) and three La Liga titles, with Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta setting a model of total football that remains legendary.

After a successful stint at Bayern Munich (2013-2016), winning three consecutive Bundesliga titles and evolving the team tactically, he moved to Manchester City to build a long-term project that changed English football.

With City, he created a collective system built on patient passing and possession from the back, redefining roles inside the pitch. He turned full-backs into midfielders and introduced ideas like the "false nine" and the "third space," turning Manchester City into a team that dominates every facet of the game.

He led City to six Premier League titles in nine years, including the 2023 Champions League triumph—the club's first—alongside a domestic treble that year. He also won the European Super Cup and Club World Cup, lifting his total to more than 35 trophies as a manager.

Far from numbers, Guardiola remains a symbol of renewal and ongoing creativity, convinced that "ball control is the best form of defense."

Despite occasional criticisms of his complex style, his impact on modern football runs deep and inspires generations of coaches worldwide. His journey with City is not just about success but a philosophical revolution that has helped redefine the game's approach to tactics.

His tenure at City has transformed football’s technique and the way teams think about tactics, turning ideas into a continuing art form. Guardiola is regarded as one of the greatest minds in the game's history, a living lab for modern football.

Caption: Guardiola and City’s tactical evolution under his leadership has reshaped England’s top flight, and the rivalry with Liverpool remains a test of ideas as the season unfolds.

Punchline 1: If Guardiola’s tactics were a dating profile, they’d say, “I control space, I control tempo, and I might steal your heart—and your counter-attack—at the same time.”

Punchline 2: And if patience is a formation, Guardiola would park the bus in midfield and still win the game—just because the ball agreed to attend counseling with him.