Pep Guardiola left in tears after Jürgen Klopp message as tribute paid to exiting Liverpool boss

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was moved to tears as he paid an emotional tribute to departing Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp. He was speaking just after the Etihad side won the Premier League title.

Klopp had spoken earlier in the week about how Guardiola and his side had gone head-to-head over the past eight seasons. Without Manchester City being quite so dominant, Liverpool would have won many more league titles under the German. Klopp had also said that Manchester City won because of Guardiola rather than its financial advantage.

"I will miss him a lot," Guardiola said during his post-match press conference as his voice wavered. "Jürgen has been a really important part of my life. He brought me to another level as a manager. We respect each other incredibly.

What happened after Jürgen Klopp's final Liverpool game as seven minutes sum up Anfield legacy

Jürgen Klopp leads new chant for Arne Slot after final Liverpool game

"I have the feeling he will be back and thank you so much for his words, but he knows that behind me there is a lot that this club provides me with, otherwise alone I can't do it. I'm humble enough to understand that."

It has been a theme of Liverpool and Manchester City's recent history that the pair have gone up against each other regularly and pushed each other onto new levels. And Guardiola's words mirrored Klopp's feelings.

"He helps me with his team... he has been a huge competitor in my life," Guardiola continued. "I didn't discover the way I can punish them like I can find for other teams. With him, it has been so difficult.

"I'm pretty sure Mikel [Arteta] will continue his legacy to drive us to another level. I wish him all the best and hope his final game was special, he deserved it.

"He made Liverpool recognized with his stamp, and the incredible pride of being a Liverpool fan. It's not just about titles, there are personalities that when they arrive in one place they stay forever and Jürgen and Liverpool will be part of the level of Shankly and Paisley and these incredible legends."

Liverpool.com says: Manchester City has had a huge financial advantage but Liverpool has been able to keep pace. Indeed, without Klopp, the Premier League would look even more one-sided than it already does after Guardiola collected a fourth winners medal in a row earlier today.

And it's true that Guardiola never quite figured out Klopp. He's in a unique club as a manager who actually boasts a positive record in the head-to-head-stakes. That's just as much of a tribute as the nice words from the Manchester City boss.