Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are creating one of the most memorable managerial rivalries in English club football but have nothing but mutual respect.
And Klopp believes he will never develop any animosity towards fellow managers.
He explains: “I don’t know most of them on a personal level so why should I have rivalry with a person I don’t know?
“I don’t have to hate the manager of the other team to want to beat him. That’s just not me.
"When I started playing football, I only played with my best friends. There were only ten or so. We played five-a-side and they were absolutely my best friends until they were on the other team.
“Then, I wanted to beat him desperately just to win the game. And when the game was over, it was over and we went and did something completely different.
“We are constantly competing against our rivals when we are on the pitch but I don’t have enough time to think about all these other things.
“I don’t have anything but respect for the other managers because I know how difficult a job this is.”
Klopp watched on as his Liverpool side were thrashed 4-0 by Manchester City at the Etihad on Thursday night.
The German and his Reds team received a guard of honour from their opponents after they assumed their crown.
And rather than mull over their defeat he was proud that his outfit had topped a team like Guardiola's City.
"I think we proved that point, that City is an unbelievable team," he said.
So, isn't it nice that in this league another team can be champions even when City is around and plays this kind of football, that's a surprise as well."
