Guardiola’s former assistant names team to challenge Man City for title

Pep Guardiola’s former assistant, Enzo Maresca, has said Jurgen Klopp is close to turning Liverpool back into a title-winning machine.

Maresca, who is now in charge of Leicester City, takes his team to Liverpool for a Carabao Cup third round clash on Wednesday night.

Ahead of the game, he has lavished praise on Klopp’s team and their style of play.

The Italian, who worked under Guardiola for two seasons, said: “I’ve tried to analyse and study Jurgen Klopp for a long time now because the way they work and the way they press is unbelievable. When they had Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino, it was incredible.

“They are very intense, very aggressive. The game, the competition, the opponent – none of it matters. They always play the same way – it’s like a machine, to be honest.‌ In transition and off the ball, they have been the best team in the world during the past seven or eight years. In terms of style of play, then Manchester City are the best in the world. But for transition and off the ball, Liverpool are at the same level.

‌“Now, they have some new players. They need time to adapt – but they will go again. It’s impossible to maintain the same level for five or six years – impossible. But, very soon they are going to be at the same level that they have been.

“You need time to recycle the team. They are changing some players but it will only be a short time before they are fighting for the Premier League and Champions League again. For sure, a short time.”