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might or might not be within the residence straight but it surely takes him to the place that feels his ultimate frontier. The supervisor has a regular reply – “I’ve yet one more 12 months [on my] contract” – about his future however there’s the prospect that that is his final journey to Anfield. It could appear to loom giant in his pondering: there could also be no away floor Guardiola references by title extra.

There’s a motive for that. Guardiola has been going there for nearly a decade with Metropolis. He has solely gained as soon as: in lockdown, in an empty floor, when maybe Anfield was probably not Anfield. When he was final there, Guardiola , one to indicate every title he has gained. The extra well-known meme is of Guardiola brandishing two and yelling “twice” in any course. It was a reference to Metropolis’s penalty appeals rejected in that 2019 defeat. Anfield, it appeared, might go away him howling into the sky in frustration.

Pep Guardiola reminded the Liverpool followers what number of Premier League titles he has gained final season (Ian Hodgson/AP) (AP)

These pictures could also be revived if Guardiola can triumph on the crimson aspect of Merseyside for a second time. “It’s at all times the hardest opponent and a troublesome place and stadium with the standard of the gamers and the managers,” he stated. He shrugged off ideas Liverpool’s droop this season would render Sunday’s go to simpler. “They continue to be an distinctive crew with a top-class supervisor,” he stated. Anfield continues to be Anfield.

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Guardiola’s 10 visits there, his six defeats, his return of 5 factors from a doable 27, have given him an thought of what’s required. “Anfield, greater phases and large video games, at all times wants large personalities,” stated Guardiola. “As I stated many instances, it isn’t concerning the expertise. All of the gamers within the first division, the Premier League and the large leagues, within the prime golf equipment, the talents are there. It’s the way you behave.”

It was an evaluation that might assume an significance on the subject of crew choice. Bernardo Silva ranks as a significant doubt however was given the captaincy partially due to the persona he confirmed final season. Ruben Dias, maybe the calmest character he can name upon, has not performed for a month however is match once more.

Erling Haaland has not scored in open play within the Premier League since Christmas and has solely discovered the web at Anfield within the colors of Pink Bull Salzburg. “Erling is the perfect striker on this planet,” , brushing apart ideas a extra in-form Omar Marmoush might play as a substitute of the Norwegian. Rodri’s expertise might provide reassurance, too, in what has been reworked into an inexperienced Metropolis crew.

Pep Guardiola (proper) believes Erling Haaland is the perfect striker on this planet (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)

“They’re new, new, new, new, new within the new Premier League, in new phases,” emphasised Guardiola. And but their predecessors – Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker, Ederson and co – typically had large personalities. What they lacked, nevertheless, was the sight of the perfect a part of 60,000 Liverpool followers left disenchanted by a Metropolis victory at Anfield.

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The reboot has been influenced, instantly and not directly, by Liverpool. Maybe it was inevitable golf equipment searching for an overhaul would find yourself fishing in the identical ponds. Liverpool used their pulling energy as champions to usher in the £100m Florian Wirtz, who had been of curiosity to Metropolis. Guardiola responded by signing the slightly cheaper Rayan Cherki, who has proved a discount. Tellingly, maybe, Guardiola cited the Frenchman’s character as he underlined how impressed he has been. “When it comes to expertise, persona, everybody can see it each daily,” he stated. “So he’s prime, prime class.”

There was an Anfield flavour to his January enterprise. Antoine Semenyo, signed for Bournemouth by Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes and wished on Merseyside, was as a substitute purchased by Metropolis. , who virtually joined Liverpool on deadline day in the summertime, as a substitute moved to Manchester 4 months later. “An important signing for Man Metropolis for the subsequent 5, six, seven, eight years,” stated Guardiola.

Antoine Semenyo (left) and Marc Guehi have been each targets of Liverpool (Getty Pictures)

His revamped backroom workers all have Anfield on their CVs. Kolo Toure virtually gained a Premier League title with Liverpool in 2014, solely to be pipped by Metropolis. Set-piece coach James French spent 13 years at Anfield. Pep Lijnders was Jurgen Klopp’s second in command. Guardiola hardly ever misses a chance to name Klopp his best rival; famously, he misplaced extra video games towards the German than he gained. So if he couldn’t beat him sufficient, he employed his ally. With , maybe Guardiola is enjoying extra Klopp-style soccer, with sooner transitions and fewer management.

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But neither Liverpool, regardless of spending £450m final summer season, or Metropolis, regardless of paying £430m for signings over the past 13 months, are touching the heights Klopp and Guardiola’s best groups did. “Yeah, possibly we’re saying that to make 98 factors, and 100 factors to win the Premier League just isn’t onerous sufficient,” the Catalan stated. He misplaced at Anfield to a Liverpool crew who obtained 99, drew with one who ended up with 97. Now he faces a Liverpool aspect marooned in sixth. However for Guardiola, Anfield will at all times stay Anfield.