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Ammon News - Jurgen Klopp has rubbished talk of a rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City, with the German boss hailing opposite number Pep Guardiola as the 'outstanding manager of my lifetime'.

The two teams will go into battle at Anfield on Sunday in a titanic title tussle, with the winner of the match able to make a huge statement and go top of the table with 10 games to go. Arsenal are also well in the mix and will be hoping to gain ground on at least one side this weekend.

City and Liverpool have played out several feisty matches over the Guardiola and Klopp era, with fans of the clubs often clashing outside stadiums. But Klopp has talked down any suggestions of a rivalry and instead hailed City's manager.

'He is the best manager in the world,' said Klopp on Guardiola. '(City) have incredible players. Probably the best No 9 (Erling Haaland). Kevin De Bruyne will go down in history as, 'Was it Steven Gerrard or Kevin De Bruyne?'.

'The way (Guardiola) influenced football. Winning the amount of trophies he won but when you see him, he behaves like he's never won anything - the desire is outstanding. I see excellence. Pep is definitely that. In my lifetime he's the outstanding manager.

'I was never frustrated (at people saying Guardiola is a better manager). I knew about 3,000 footballers that were better than me but I still loved the game. He made me a better manager. I know I am quite good at what I do. I know I am not bad but he is the best.'

Guardiola was talking simultaneously at the City Football Academy and said: 'I completely respect his decision (to leave Liverpool). He loves football. His passion is there. In the Premier League it is the last time (we meet), but there is the FA Cup.'

Klopp has a relatively clean bill of health going into the clash, especially noting the injury crisis that threatened to derail Liverpool's title bid in recent weeks, though the Reds are still sweating on the fitness of key defender Ibrahima Konate.

The Frenchman limped off during Liverpool's 5-1 win at Sparta Prague on Thursday night but it was thought to be more of a precautionary measure. Klopp said: 'I don't know. He was rather positive last night, though he made the right decision at the right moment.

'But that doesn't mean a lot. We had a scan, and I don't have the results yet.' Konate, who has excelled in big games against the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal this season, would be a big loss to Klopp - but he is confident young Jarell Quansah could step up if needed.

The 21-year-old only made his senior debut in August - off the bench at Newcastle when captain Virgil van Dijk had been sent off - but has flourished since. Klopp is said to be surprised at his development since spending time at Bristol Rovers on loan last term.

'(Jarell is) massive, massive,' added Klopp. 'He just stepped up, he just came back and it's not like everyone in the club said, 'Yeah, he's the next big one'. He showed immediately he wants to be in the team and each session, it's a joy, a pure joy to have him.'

Daily Mail