Guardiola Set to Reach 1,000th Match Milestone Against Liverpool

Pep Guardiola is set to mark a significant milestone in his illustrious managerial career as he takes charge of his 1,000th game this weekend. This occasion comes during his remarkable 18-year journey, which has included notable spells at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and currently, Manchester City.

It is particularly fitting that the 54-year-old achieves this landmark against Liverpool, a club that has posed significant challenges throughout his successful tenure at City. Currently in his 10th season at the helm, Guardiola has led Manchester City to six Premier League titles, notably outpacing Klopp’s Liverpool during the 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons.

In the seasons where Guardiola did not secure the league title, Liverpool emerged triumphant, first under Klopp in 2019-20 and then again last season with their current manager, Arne Slot.

While Guardiola has also shared a fierce rivalry with Jose Mourinho during their tenures at Barcelona and Real Madrid, he considers Klopp to be the most formidable opponent he has faced. Reflecting on this upcoming historic match, Guardiola stated, “If I were to choose one rival for this personal milestone, that I want to share with many people, they [Klopp’s Liverpool] would be the best.”

Guardiola acknowledged the profound impact Klopp has had on him, stating, “Jurgen has been the biggest rival in this country, and it could not be better, to be honest. So destiny decided that, and it’s nice to live it.”

Despite Klopp’s absence from the managerial landscape since leaving Liverpool in the summer of 2024, Guardiola expressed his admiration, saying, “I miss him. He gave me a lot in the sense of how much I have to think and work to beat him.”

Discussing his remarkable longevity in management, given the intense pressures associated with leading elite clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, Guardiola reflected on the “difficulties” faced on the touchline. He remarked, “The numbers are insane. When you have the milestone and you read about your victories and averages, it’s incredible.”

As City prepares for this momentous occasion, they head into the match in strong form, having lost only once in their last 13 matches across all competitions. In contrast, Liverpool is experiencing a resurgence after a challenging period, winning their last two matches, including a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa and a Champions League triumph against Real Madrid.