‘I agree with Jurgen Klopp’ – Pep Guardiola sides with rival at Liverpool over Todd Boehly’s North vs South all-star match, and Man City boss labels Erling Haaland ‘perfect person’

    Pep Guardiola has revealed he agrees with rival manager Jurgen Klopp on Chelsea owner Todd Boehly’s idea for a North vs South match.

    The Liverpool manager came out earlier this week to say he didn’t agree with the Blues owner’s idea of creating an all-star style match to raise funds for the rest of the football pyramid.

    Guardiola hasn’t warmed to the idea of an all-star North vs South game

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    Guardiola hasn’t warmed to the idea of an all-star North vs South game

    And he mirrored what Liverpool manager Klopp made of Boehly’s suggestion

    AFP

    And he mirrored what Liverpool manager Klopp made of Boehly’s suggestion

    But despite their rivalry on the pitch, Manchester City boss Guardiola saw eye-to-eye with Klopp’s view that the fixture list is already busy enough and there isn’t room for Boehly’s suggestion.

    “I don’t have an opinion,” Guardiola repeated when first asked about the Blues chairman’s idea.

    However, once asked a few more times, the Spaniard’s view on the concept soon became fairly obvious.

    He continued: “I agree with Jurgen, so, if they give me the dates when this should be played it would be nice.”

    City head into their Premier League clash with Wolves this Sunday off the back of a 2-1 comeback against Borussia Dortmund, thanks to a last minute winner coming from new frontman Erling Haaland.

    The Norwegian theatrically converted a delicious cross from Joao Cancelo in the 84th minute, stretching his leg to score against his old club.

    Haaland scored an incredible goal against his former side Dortmund on Wednesday night

    AFP

    Haaland scored an incredible goal against his former side Dortmund on Wednesday night

    But whilst Haaland has already netted an extraordinary 13 goals in nine appearances for City, Guardiola believes he could go even further.

    “He’s an exceptional striker, I’ve said this many times, but the age that he has and I think his ambitions, he wants to be better and he’ll be better,” he said.

    “He’s the perfect person, he’s a nice guy. This is the most important thing. The quality he had before he came here, he’s continued to do what he has done.

    “We didn’t add many, many things.”

    Guardiola knows Costa won’t be an easy opponent

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    Guardiola knows Costa won’t be an easy opponent

    With Haaland in tow, City look unstoppable as they return to Premier League action.

    However, Guardiola has warned his side need to be on top form on Saturday in what is set to be a ‘difficult’ game.

    And he’s prepared his team for the possibility of going up against their opponent’s own deadly striker – Wolves’ new signing and former Chelsea star Diego Costa.

    When asked on his thoughts on the goalscorer who could make his debut against City, Guardiola said: “Diego Costa made an incredible career, here, in Spain, his quality of course.”

    He added: “We’ll adapt just in case he’ll play.”

    Meanwhile, Guardiola confirmed Aymeric Laporte was back in training for the clash at Molineux, but stated he would not be available, whilst Kyle Walker is still a doubt for the fixture.

    You can listen to exclusive live commentary of Man City vs Wolves, with our coverage starting at 11:30am.

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