Tomorrow is the biggest match in English football nowadays. The two best teams in the world (arguably) face each other. So, why don't we take a look on how these teams started?
Let's start with Liverpool. Klopp made his debut against Tottenham in a 0-0 draw, in 17/10/2015. The XI was the following:
GK - Simon Mignolet
After being a back up for Karius and now Alisson he was the starter keeper that season. He returned to his home Belgium signing for Club Brugge after last season Champions League win.
RB - Nathaniel Clyne
Had a little 6 month loan spell on AFC Bournemouth in January 2019 because he wanted more playtime and now he came back but suffered an injury in pre season.
CB - Martin Skrtel
Left the club after the season ended and 8 years in the club. Then he played for Fenerbahçe SK, signed for Atalanta last summer but left the club after 21 days and now he is back in Turkey playing for İstanbul Başakşehir.
CB - Mamadou Sakho
Had a scandal for violating an anti-doping rule. He was positive for a fat burner and he was banned. Then Klopp didn't play him again. He left in January 2017 on loan to Crystal Palace and in August he signed for them on a permanent deal. Now he is still here.
LB - Alberto Moreno
Was a back up for Milner (in 16-17), he was a starter for a little spell and then he became Robertson's back up. He joined Villarreal on a free transfer last summer after last season Champions League win after scarce playtime.
DM - Lucas Leiva
Signed for Lazio for 5M€ after 16-17 season. Won the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana. He is a starter for Inzaghi's team.
DM - Emre Can
Left the club on a free transfer after 17-18 season. Since then he is playing for Juventus but he was left out of Champions League Squad by Maurizio Sarri in this season. Won a Serie A and a Suppercopa Italiana under Massimiliano Allegri.
RM - James Milner
One of the few players that still remains in the club. Has played almost every position for the team (RB, LB for an entire season, CM and DM). In 17-18 season he broke the record of most assist on a single Champions League campaign (with 9). He won the Champions League last season and the UEFA Supercup.
AM - Adam Lallana
Was a starter for Klopp in 16-17 and arguably his best player, suffered an injury in 17-18 and since then he hasn't reached his previous form. He is now a back up in the midfield and doesn't play that much.
LM - Philippe Coutinho
Left the club for FC Barcelona in January 2018. Had a spectacular first 6 months in an almost unbeaten league title. Won Copa del Rey too. Last season he was unrecognizable, but Barcelona won the league again. Came back to Anfield,lost 4-0 and got eliminated by the team he left to win the UCL. Now he is on loan at Bayern Munich and was playing well under Kovac but we don't know what will happen to him under the new manager.
ST - Divock Origi
Do I seriously need to talk?
Well. He scored the 3 most important goals in Liverpool's season. Two in the comeback against Barcelona and one against Tottenham in the final. Before that he had a failed loan spell in Wolfsburg in the 17-18 season.
In the bench, Klopp had: Kolo Touré (left for Celtic and retired, now their assistant manager), Joe Allen (left for Stoke City and relegated, now still there), Jordon Ibe (in Bournemouth), Adam Bodgan (free agent), Conor Randall (playing in Bulgarian Arda Kardzhali), Joao Carlos Teixeira (in Vitória Guimarães) and Jerome Sinclair (playing in Eredivisie for VVV-Venlo).
Guardiola made his debut for Manchester City against Sunderland on a 2-1 win in 13/08/16. The XI was the following:
GK - Willy Caballero
After the season ended he left for Chelsea to be a back up for Courtois and then Kepa. Won the Europa League last season and well, protagonized that incident with Kepa refusing to be subbed off. He is still at Chelsea.
RB - Bacary Sagna
He left after the end of his contract in 2017. He remained without a team until February 2018 when he signed for Benevento, they were relegated and signed for Montreal Impact in MLS.
CB - John Stones
Still at the club. Has been a starter on some spells but he's normally a back up to Laporte and Otamendi (and Kompany while he was still here).
CB - Aleksandar Kolarov
Signed for Roma in 17-18 season for 5M€. Reached the Champions League semifinals knocking out FC Barcelona and was a starter for Di Francesco, Ranieri and now Fonseca.
LB - Gaël Clichy
Playing now for İstanbul Başakşehir. Left after 16-17 ended.
DM - Fernandinho
Still here. Essential for Guardiola's team. Won back-to-back PL titles and a domestic quadruple last season.
CM - David Silva
A club legend and another essential player for Pep Guardiola. Key in the back-to-back PL titles and the domestic treble. Now the captain after Kompany left.
CM - Kevin De Bruyne
One of the best midfielders in the world. Had an injury last season and he barely played. But was their best player in 17-18 season.
RW - Raheem Sterling
Well we all know Sterling wouldn't be what he is now if he were playing under another manager. He already has 14 goals and 5 assists in 16 matches this season. Last season he had 25 goals and 18 assists in 51 matches. He has become one of the best players in the world under him. At that time, he was only a player with a lot of potential.
LW - Nolito
He left after the season ended and signed for Sevilla. He is still there.
ST - Sergio Agüero
What could I say about him? Another key player in that back-to-back PL titles and the domestic quadruple. Under Pep he became the all time highest goal-scorer for Manchester City.
In the bench, Guardiola had: Joe Hart (we all know Pep didn't like him, after Claudio Bravo arrival he was loaned to Torino, next year to West Ham United and last season he signed for Burnley), Pablo Zabaleta (left at the end of the season for West Ham United), Fernando Reges (left at the end of the season for Galatasaray and this season signed for Sevilla), Jesús Navas (in Sevilla since 17-18), Fabian Delph (last summer Everton signed him), Nicolás Otamendi (still at the club, was their best CB under 17-18) and Kelechi Iheanacho (playing in Leicester City since 17-18).
Feel free to let me know if you want me to do an in depth analysis of the first time Klopp and Guardiola played in the Premier League :). You can support me with liking the entry, sharing and commenting! How do you think this match is gonna end?