The curtain came down on one of the greatest English Premier League managerial rivalries as Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola hugged heartily after their sides slugged each other to a standstill at Anfield.
A compelling 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Manchester City left the honors shared, a three-way title race wide open, and further proof of the football philosophy that unites two men who have stamped their trademark all over their respective clubs.
Klopp will walk away at the end of the season after a near decade-long reign on Merseyside that has seen the club scoop every major prize and go head-to-head with Guardiola's City in epic title races. This was the 16th Premier League clash between the pair and it felt appropriate that when the full-time whistle sounded on a glorious advert for the English top flight, there was nothing to separate them.
Guardiola has enjoyed mastery over just about every coach in world football since making his name in charge of Barcelona but will end his Premier League series with Klopp with five wins, four defeats and seven draws. The warmth with which Klopp and Guardiola embraced yesterday spoke volumes.
"He will be back! He loves the job too much," Guardiola said. "He made us a better team, he made me a better manager ... football needs personalities like him."
Klopp was coy after the final whistle, saying: "We both respect each other a lot and probably after the career we will become somehow friends."
While yesterday's clash was the last time Klopp and Guardiola will face off for Premier League points, as far as the title race is concerned it made things even more interesting with Arsenal ahead of Liverpool on goal difference and City one point back. All three have 10 games left.
"There's still a long way to go but if you can play football like this against Manchester City it's a statement and I love that," Klopp said.
Alexis Mac Allister fired home the second-half equalizer from the penalty spot, canceling out John Stones' close-range header from Kevin De Bruyne's corner in the 23rd minute. The penalty was awarded in the 50th minute after City 'keeper Ederson's rash challenge on Darwin Nunez in the box. And Liverpool had a penalty shout deep in stoppage time after Jeremy Doku's reckless tackle on Mac Allister in the box, with replays showing Doku's boot hitting the Argentine in the chest.
