Ex- FC Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has shed light on his relationship with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp while admitting his feud with Pep Guardiola is still very much alive.
The former Ivory Coast international is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in Premier League history after his illustrious eight-year spell at the Etihad that saw him win three league titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup in which Toure scored the winner in the final at Wembley. Toure is a popular figure both in the blue half of Manchester and now seemingly the red half of Merseyside as well.
Though Toure featured n a Man City side that beat a Klopp-led Liverpool to the 2017/18 title, the pair are still in communication and remain friends away from football. "Klopp, when he wins games, I text him and he is delighted and he always invites me (to meet him) and texts me back," Toure told The Times. "Does this guy rest? I don’t think so, he loves football. He’s a top, top, guy."
Liverpool and Man City are the two sides vying for the title once again this term, with Guardiola's side boasting a slender one-point advantage at the top of the table with just nine games left to play.
The pair will face off at the Etihad next month in what is likely to be the most important game of the season for both sides. Toure has explained how predicting a winner is too difficult given the strength of Liverpool's squad.
"Liverpool and City are separated by one point and they are going to fight until the end. I hope City will win it because I am City fan, but it’s so unpredictable and Liverpool are so, so strong." Toure is trying to work his way up the management ladder but is likely to have to do so without the help of former boss Guardiola.
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The former midfielder made comments about Guardiola's team selections during his last season at the Etihad. "It got to the point I asked myself if it was because of my colour. I am not the first. Other Barcelona players asked the question," he told France Football. Toure later apologised for the remarks.
Now, Toure has admitted he'd like to reconcile with the Man City manager: "I wish to see him. I will be delighted. I need to talk to people who have a passion for football. I haven't been in touch with him because I don't have his number."
When Guardiola was pressed for a response to the initial remarks from Toure in 2018, he declined to offer any kind of meaningful response. "I'm not going to comment on Toure's words. I have nothing to say about Toure."
