Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has admitted that he struggles to enjoy the club's important matches while the game is going on - and it'll be the same for Sunday's clash against Manchester City.
The 52-year-old has already taken charge of dozens of big games in his career, ranging from derby matches against Everton and Manchester United, to Der Klassiker during his time at Borrusia Dortmund and even earlier in his career Mainz's grudge match against Eintracht Frankfurt.
However, Klopp insists he hasn't been able to enjoy the big games as they're happening during his managerial career, although he caveated that by stressing he can take enjoyment from the fact his teams are involved in such important matches.
"I have been asked in the build-up to today, and previous games like this, whether as a manager I enjoy them," Klopp wrote in Liverpool's official matchday programme (via liverpoolfc.com).
"Honestly speaking, I don’t enjoy the 90-plus minutes itself when it’s happening, but that’s the case with nearly all games I’ve been involved with as a manager in my career.
"When you’re in the moment you are working, so you don’t allow yourself time to even think about whether it’s something you enjoy or not. But I can enjoy the situation and I do.
"I take enjoyment and fulfilment from how my players have improved and grown together to bring us to the point that we are involved in great occasions like this.
"I take enjoyment from the fact these players and this team have earned their status as being one of the best football sides in the world in this moment. I take enjoyment from knowing that these players have total belief in themselves."
Klopp might not enjoy them, but he's going into Sunday's match against Manchester City with history on his side against Pep Guardiola - winning more games against the Spaniard than losing.
The Liverpool boss also comes out on top more often than not against Manchester City, having been unbeaten against the club as Borussia Dortmund manager, while he's also won half of these matches since moving to Anfield.
Guardiola's City have won their last two meetings with the Reds, but they haven't won at Liverpool's home in 16 years and they've only ever walked away from Anfield with a win on one other occasion - in the 1981/82 season - over the last 50 years.
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90min
