Can Pep Guardiola get over his Liverpool neurosis and get Man City’s title challenge back on track?

Both men are intense but Klopp brings an element of humour. That was illustrated this week at Uefa’s Elite Coaches Forum in Switzerland. The German was being interviewed about his relationship with Guardiola in the wake of Liverpool 3-1 victory at Anfield on Sunday. “Of course we spoke,” Klopp said. “Why shouldn’t we speak?”

The 52-year-old then looked over his shoulder, saw the City manager emerging from the meeting and said: “Pep Guardiola is coming,” in mock shock before running away. It was pure comedy. Klopp was enjoying the situation. Life is less fun from the Catalan’s point of view.

City and Liverpool are not natural rivals but the relationship between the clubs has been festering for almost a decade. On Merseyside, the resentment towards the Etihad’s spending power is palpable. From the moment John W Henry, the principal owner, took charge at Anfield nine years ago there has been a fear that City have the financial power to dominate the domestic game for the foreseeable future.

Last year’s unprecedented domestic clean sweep of trophies by City should be regarded as one of the greatest achievements in English football history but it was overshadowed by Liverpool’s Champions League final victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid. Inside the Etihad there is disbelief at how frequently key moments in continental competition have gone Klopp’s way. City attribute much of the success of the European champions to luck. The run of the ball and refereeing decisions have favoured Liverpool, the theory goes. Events at Anfield on Sunday only reinforced the sense of grievance. City are still appalled that no penalty was awarded when the ball hit Trent Alexander-Arnold’s arm moments before the home side went up the other end and scored their second goal.