Imitation, the old saying goes, is the sincerest form of flattery, and as Manchester City gear up to host Liverpool in this weekend's Premier League grudge match, the two teams have never appeared more similar.
Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp were once deemed as polar opposites despite their attacking principles. Since his emergence as the world's most decorated coach, the former has reiterated his love for the ball on a countless number of occasions. Possession is and always has been everything to Guardiola.
Klopp originated from a different place. The German has favoured penetration as opposed to possession throughout his managerial career. His initial rise as a pioneer of sorts in his homeland revolved around his unorthodox approach against the ball and how it managed to highlight the pitfalls of possession-based football.
