Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola opted to directly respond to Jurgen Klopp’s remarks about Liverpool’s chances of winning the Premier League this season.
The Reds manager suggested that his side weren’t the favourites in the race to win the league title in their upcoming campaign as they were still seen as ‘Rocky’ not ‘Ivan Drago.’
“City – the champions – have not lost a player and brought in Mahrez,” said Klopp ahead of the side’s clash against West Ham, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
“They were impressive against Chelsea, both sides were. We are still Rocky Balboa and not Ivan Drago.”
Sam Lee, a journalist for Goal, was in attendance of Man City’s press conference shared via his persona Twitter account that Guardiola had brushed off their claim that his side were favourites for the title and even thanked the Reds manager for his kind words.
Guardiola on being title favourites/Ivan Drago: "I've had that situation for nine years, it's not a problem. Thank you Jurgen, you're so kind."
— Sam Lee (@SamLee) August 10, 2018
OPINION
Let the mind games begin! Especially if they always end up referring to iconic Hollywood movies as it makes for an amusing battle of wits between two very experienced managers. Klopp’s decision to reference ‘Rocky IV’ would have amused a lot of people and it seems Guardiola is open to being just as cheeky with his remarks about the 2018/19 battle for the Premier League title. It would be no surprise if Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho opts to weigh in on the mind games even if he does it in a less than amusing fashion. It seems Guardiola is happy for his team to be seen as the favourites for the title and has no problems with that label. However Klopp is keen just to lower expectations just a little bit at Anfield as following their summer transfer business everyone is dreaming of them racking up multiple trophies and perhaps dominating the league. Though as the German boss alludes to with his comments, Man City are still the same strong side who run rough shot over the division last season and have even improved their squad by adding Riyad Mahrez. Though while both are making these cheery comments publicly both managers will be eyeing winning the Premier League title this season at the other’s expense.
