'He'll be back!' - Pep Guardiola sure Jurgen Klopp will return to management after Liverpool boss's shock departure announcement

Klopp recently sent shockwaves through the football world by announcing his decision to step down as Liverpool's manager at the end of the season. This revelation comes after nine remarkable years at Anfield, during which Klopp led Liverpool to numerous triumphs, including a Premier League title and a Champions League trophy.

Guardiola, speaking to Eurosport ahead of Manchester City's match against Everton, said: "I'm pretty sure he will be back. Where, I don't know. Only he knows it. He will rest a little bit and relax and take the perspective because [when you are playing] every third day season after season, it’s difficult to take a perspective of what I’m doing, who we are, what I want in life. Sometimes to take a break is really good. He’s going to decide his best."

Over the past decade, the fixtures between City and Liverpool have stood out as marquee clashes of the Premier League. These encounters have often been pivotal, with the title race frequently coming down to the wire between these two footballing powerhouses. Although Klopp's Liverpool managed to secure the league title over City only once, during the 2019-20 season, the high standards set by both clubs have led to intense competition, with the Manchester outfit needing to amass over 90 points on two occasions to outshine their rivals.

When questioned about if Klopp has pushed him to his limits, Guardiola said: "Absolutely. So many times, yeah. The dimension of success is the dimension of a rival. When a rival is not good enough, your success is not big enough.

"But competing with this Liverpool for many years - this one and the previous ones - and sometimes beat them, it shows how good we have done. It’s the same with them I think when they beat us. It is the best measure to realise what we have done as a team."

The two teams are once again locked at the top of the table with Liverpool boasting a slender two-point advantage over their fierce rivals, having played a game more. Both the clubs will be in action on Saturday with City hosting Everton and Liverpool taking on Burnley at Anfield.