Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has lavished praise on Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
The two rivals are set to go head to head once again, as City aim to topple Liverpool to yet another Premier League title.
Asked about Guardiola's relentless desire to succeed, Klopp told reporters: "All the trophies he's won but you see him on the side and it is like he has never won one before.
“The desire, I do the job myself so I see excellence when I face it. So many different things over the years he did with his teams, always possession-based but some times long balls, Ederson in years ago and then Aguero waits and it is difficult to defend.
“So many different things over the years. How can I judge managers from the past? In my lifetime Pep is the outstanding manager."
He then added: "I was never frustrated [against Guardiola]. I knew 3000 footballers better than me but I still loved the game so I have no problem with that. Never frustrated me, he made me a better manager.
“I have a positive record v Pep but I have no clue how that happened. I know I am quite good at what I do. I don't want to sound like I am jusy happy to be here, I know I am not bad but he is the best. Most of the time I do the job without facing Guardiola.
"It's much too detailed to say now [why he's better]. I cannot say where but there might be areas where I am better, I don't know. I cannot make these differences now. Maybe it is a question of taste? Some people might like the way we play more. I do, by the way, otherwise we would play differently."
He continued: "I don't feel it's a rivalry but I understand you call it that. We are both competitive and want to win. Both blessed with really good players in our teams, that is it.
“Not a rivalry what we have. Said it before, if we meet in the future it will be full of respect. Not an opportunity to meet more often yet but I say how much I respect him. We have a lot to talk about but on Sunday it's not about me having that opportunity for the last time. We could meet again in FA Cup but it's just the game of the weekend probably. Being able to be part of that is massive, fantastic. We have a few players who have played this game 20 times but the excitement is special. We do it with our tools, so let's see."
