Arne Slot is looking forward to taking on Pep Guardiola in the Premier League for years to come. The Liverpool manager was brimming with praise for the successful Spaniard on Friday morning – naming him the best manager in the league.
Guardiola and Manchester City announced on Thursday evening that they will continue working together, as the former coach of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, extended his expiring contract for two seasons. If the former Feyenoord boss continues on the course he has set in his formative time with Liverpool already, it means that there could be many more confrontations between the two in the coming years.
“It’s good news for the City fans and the league. Everyone wants to have the best managers surrounded by the best players,” Slot began at the press conference ahead of his side’s clash with Southampton. “He is one of the best, if not the best manager in the league. If you look at what he has achieved, four consecutive championships… Then it is only fair to say that he is the best manager. It will be interesting for us to continue to challenge one of the best managers ever in football.”
In addition to his opinion on Guardiola’s stay, Slot also gave an update on his group of players. This also included Virgil van Dijk, who recently returned from the Oranje camp. Slot assured that the Dutch defender is fit to play – while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker continue their absence on Sunday. That said, the Brazilian is now back on the training field.
Sunday sees Southampton host Liverpool. Then, after a midweek Champions League hosting of Real Madrid, Slot and Guardiola will cross swords for the first time, as Sunday the 1st of December sees Manchester City visit Anfield.
