‘Overall package’: BT Sport pundit claims neutrals prefer Liverpool man over Etihad legend

Follow us on Google Discover

Steve McManaman suggested that neutral supporters prefer Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp over long-time rival Pep Guardiola, as he told Premier League Productions.

Liverpool will take on their Premier League title rivals Manchester City this afternoon and McManaman feels Klopp as an ‘overall package’ is better than the Etihad legend.

During these past few seasons, both Klopp and Guardiola have dominated English football, but the German has potentially had the edge because he has won the European Cup.

Former Reds midfielder McManaman was asked about who is the better from the two, as they are set to lock horns once again.

“It’s easy for me to sit here and say yes [Klopp is better] because they have just won the league and they won the Champions League before,” said McManaman. “I think it’s a toss of a coin.

“What kind of style you like? What kind of character do you like? And what kind of charisma you want from your managers? I think both of them are absolute geniuses. We are blessed to have them in the Premier League and we are blessed for them to play each other and come up against each other.

“I certainly think as an overall package, whether you are speaking to the man or whether he’s getting interviewed. I think if you are a neutral everyone has a huge amount of respect and love for Jurgen Klopp and what he does. People seem to like him.

“The fact that he’s the champion and he’s won the Champions League in a Liverpool shirt, you would certainly say he’s sitting top of the pile, at this moment.”

Both coaches have their own styles, both on the pitch and off the field of play, but it has made for some seriously good viewing in recent years.

But there’s no doubt that this season they both have lost that magic touch, speed and aggression that they have had in their game in previous seasons.

However, a lot of that is down to injuries and new players settling in, so it will be interesting to see if they continue to set the bar as high as they have done in previous seasons.