Pep Guardiola has congratulated Jurgen Klopp after the Liverpool manager signed a contract extension to stay at Anfield for the next four years at least.
But the Manchester City boss had a slightly more unusual take on Reds forward Mohamad Salah being confirmed as the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year.
In a whirlwind 24 hours for the Merseyside club, Liverpool confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Klopp had signed a two year extension to his current contract, keeping him at Anfield until 2026. And on Friday morning news broke about Premier League top scorer Salah topping the Footballer of the Year poll, as voted for by industry journalists.
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Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of City's trip to Leeds United tomorrow evening, Guardiola said: “Congratulations to Jurgen and Liverpool, it’s really good for the Premier League. I wish them all the best. Everyone has their situation and if we decide to stay longer, it’s because I decide not because my colleague Jurgen extended.”
Liverpool will have the opportunity to leapfrog City at the top of the table when they face Newcastle United in a 12.30pm kick off at St James' Park, before the Sky Blues take on Leeds at Elland Road in an early evening kick-off. The Reds will be hoping that Salah, who has scored 30 goals in all competitions this season and also has 14 assists, will be in sparkling form to help throw the pressure back on their trophy-hunting rivals, but when Guardiola was asked about the Egyptian's recently announced success, his tone was noticeably more cynical.
He said: "Congratulations to Salah. Jurgen said, they have the best keeper, the second-best second keeper in the world, the best central defender, the best holding midfielder, the best striker, so it's normal they win all the awards."
When asked if City star Kevin De Bruyne would be disappointed not have to won this year's award, Guardiola shrugged his shoulders and added: "He's won it before."
Only a point separates City and Liverpool in the Premier League, with five matches to go for both sides, but it is the current champions from Manchester who hold the advantage. Both teams also enjoyed leads after their respective Champions League semi-final first legs, with a final between the two clubs in Paris on May 28 a very real possibility.
Elsewhere, former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, warmly greeted news of Klopp's contract extension. The Aston Villa manager said: “All the Liverpool fans all over the world are absolutely delighted with the news. Congratulations to Jurgen and his staff. It will be Liverpool's most important signing for many years to come.”
