For one last time in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp will duel on Sunday.
Klopp’s impending Liverpool exit and pledge not to manage another English side means this will be the end of the road for the two legendary managers in football’s biggest league.
There have been some stellar players to have featured under Guardiola and Klopp, particularly as direct rivals to one another.
But who squeezes into the best combined XI? We at 90min have an idea..
If you combined Alisson’s all-conquering and all-fearsome shot-stopping with Ederson’s phenomenal range of passing and composure, then you’d get prime Manuel Neuer. That’s why he’s the first pick in this team.
Extra kudos needs to be bestowed upon Klopp not just for giving Trent Alexander-Arnold the platform to become one of the most unique and potent right-backs in history, but for bringing him through from the academy.
The greatest leader in Barcelona history? That’s one Carles Puyol, right there. He reached new heights late in his career under Guardiola’s guidance.
A lot of people were taken aback when Liverpool pulled the trigger on a £75m deal to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton, but he’s gone on to become one of the most influential transfers in the Reds’ storied history.
There’s a great irony in Klopp not caring too much about defending for much of his managerial career and still ending up with three defenders in this combined backline.
While Van Dijk cost Liverpool a whopping £75m, Andy Robertson came in for a more modest £8m and initially served as understudy to Alberto Moreno. Yeah, funny.
Obviously the winner of the three-way fight between Spanish defensive midfielders is Sergio Busquets. Rodri’s still got a few more years to build his case, however.
From 2009 to 2011, Xavi finished third in Ballon d’Or voting three years running. No player has ever claimed the metaphorical bronze on more occasions.
Is Kevin De Bruyne – the man spurned by Guardiola at Bayern because he knew they would unite at City – the greatest midfielder in Premier League history?
Yes. Yes he is.
Right, don’t get your undies in a twist just yet. The bloke you’re looking for is on the next position down, alright?
Mohamed Salah’s longevity and supremacy in Klopp’s Liverpool setup cannot be ignored. The other reasonings for his inclusion will be explained below.
The best version of the best player of all time played as a false nine under Guardiola at Barcelona. He’s not getting moved around for anyone, not even the would-be 2020 Ballon d’Or winner or the freakish Norwegian scoring machine.
Apologies to the lovers of the traditional winger and orthodox forward. We had to slip in Andres Iniesta somewhere and it made most sense for him to come in on the left.
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