Premier League: Unveiling the Best Combined XI to Have Played for Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola

• Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp will face off for the last time when Liverpool play Manchester City
• Many top stars have played for both managers in the Premier League and could make it into any team
• Liverpool's Klopp and City's Guardiola are big rivals, but also have a lot of respect for each other

There’s a lot of respect between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.

The two managers have traded wins against each other for many years and will face each other one last time in the English Premier League.

With all eyes on the last dance between the two sides, Sports Brief looks at the best combined XI of players to feature for both managers in the EPL.

The Klopp and Guardiola combined XI

Alisson – Goalkeeper

Top 10 strongest football players to ever play the game

Football

While City have their own Brazilian shot-stopper in Ederson, it’s hard to argue with Liverpool’s Alisson as goalkeeper.

Confident with his feet and head, Alisson provides a level of assurity and calmness in defence. He can also play the role of sweeper keeper.

He has kept 112 clean sheets at the Reds, scored one goal, and notched up three assists.

Kyle Walker – Right Back

An attacking full-back who is no-nonsense in defence, Walker just shades Trent Alexander-Arnold for the right-back spot.

The former Tottenham Hotspur defender is known for his pace and stamina and covers large areas of the pitch when he plays.

Virgil van Dijk – Defender

Cool, calm and composed, van Dijk is a rock at the back.

The Dutch defender rarely makes a mistake when defending and has come up with crucial goals in attack as well.

VVD uses his head in more ways than one and is an automatic starter in any side.

Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thierry Henry and Neymar among the 10 greatest players never to win coveted Ballon d'Or

Football

Vincent Kompany – Defender

Like van Dijk, Kompany is a defender who isn’t easy to glide past.

The Belgian possessed both physicality and technicality and was a great leader on the pitch.

While he only made 62 appearances under Guardiola for City, he would easily walk into any Pep side.

Andrew Robertson – Left Back

On the left side of the defence is another full-back who knows how to get forward.

Robbo is tied for most assists by a defender in the EPL, highlighting what an attacking threat he can be.

In defence, he is wily and possesses great pace to halt attacks down the wing.

Bernardo Silva – Attacking Midfield

The Portuguese midfielder is one of the heartbeats of the City side.

Silva is often an important part of the team’s attacks, making it look effortless.

He’s notched up 63 goals and 64 assists for Guardiola’s men, but those stats don’t showcase his actual value.

Eden Hazard: What Belgian superstar said about Mohamed Salah in 2019

Football

İlkay Güactualan - Central Midfield

Gündoğan is another player who has been at the heart of City’s midfield.

Now playing for Barcelona, he can play a deeper midfielder role but also push forward and attack when needed.

The German made 304 appearances for the Citizens before leaving for the Spanish side.

Kevin de Bruyne – Attacking Midfield

No team would be complete without KDB.

The Belgian is called the assist king for a reason, and a side is guaranteed goals with him in their squad.

De Bruyne has scored 82 goals for Guardiola’s men, but it is his 152 assists in all competitions that truly make him a great player.

Mohamed Salah - Right Winger

Salah is called the Egyptian King for a reason.

While his first stint in the league at Chelsea was nothing to write home about, Salah has been a different beast under Klopp.

He’s already netted 205 times for the Reds and notched up 94 assists, on his way to breaking numerous records. Salah is a threat even on days he doesn’t perform at his absolute best.

Ranking the 10 best soccer duos in the world currently

Football

Sadio Mane – Left Wing

Raheem Sterling was a lethal winger for City, but it was hard to dethrone Mane on the left wing.

The Senegalese star’s pace troubled many a defender, and he could easily finish chances off.

Mane also easily finish chances off the field with Salah, and the two were guaranteed goals when they played together.

Erling Haaland – Striker

Pep Guardiola has the great Sergio Aguero in his side as a stroutstanding while Liverpool had Roberto Firmino, who was great at linking up play, but they can’t beat the Norwegian attacker.

Haaland is lethal in front of goal and makes scoring look easy.

He has already scored 81 goals in 85 games, and it doesn’t look like he will stop anytime soon, Transfermarkt noted.

Klopp is Pep's biggest challenge

Sports Brief also reported how Klopp is the one manager who, more often than not, gets the better of Guardiola when they meet.

What Chelsea must do to win Carabao Cup against Liverpool

Football

The Man City boss is considered one of the greatest coaches ever, and he's enjoyed legendary rivalries over the years.

While he has enjoyed success over many managers over the years, Liverpool's Klopp poses the biggest threat to Guardiola's sides.