Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp's all-time combined XI
- Final Premier League meeting between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp to take place on Sunday
- Two legendary managers have been able to call upon the world's best players
- Building a combined XI of the players they've coached in their esteemed careers
By Sean Walsh
For one last time in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp will duel on Sunday.
Klopp's impending Liverpool exit and pledge not to manage another English side means this will be the end of the road for the two legendary managers in football's biggest league.
There have been some stellar players to have featured under Guardiola and Klopp, particularly as direct rivals to one another.
But who squeezes into the best combined XI? We at 90min have an idea..
GK: Manuel Neuer
- Played under: Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich
- Honourable mentions: Alisson, Ederson
If you combined Alisson's all-conquering and all-fearsome shot-stopping with Ederson's phenomenal range of passing and composure, then you'd get prime Manuel Neuer. That's why he's the first pick in this team.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Played under: Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
- Honourable mentions: Kyle Walker, Philipp Lahm
Extra kudos needs to be bestowed upon Klopp not just for giving Trent Alexander-Arnold the platform to become one of the most unique and potent right-backs in history, but for bringing him through from the academy.
CB: Carles Puyol
- Played under: Pep Guardiola at Barcelona
- Honourable mentions: Ruben Dias, John Stones, Mats Hummels
The greatest leader in Barcelona history? That's one Carles Puyol, right there. He reached new heights late in his career under Guardiola's guidance.
CB: Virgil van Dijk
- Played under: Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
- Honourable mentions: Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique, Vincent Kompany
A lot of people were taken aback when Liverpool pulled the trigger on a £75m deal to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton, but he's gone on to become one of the most influential transfers in the Reds' storied history.
LB: Andy Robertson
- Played under: Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
- Honourable mentions: David Alaba, Eric Abidal
There's a great irony in Klopp not caring too much about defending for much of his managerial career and still ending up with three defenders in this combined backline.
While Van Dijk cost Liverpool a whopping £75m, Andy Robertson came in for a more modest £8m and initially served as understudy to Alberto Moreno. Yeah, funny.
DM: Sergio Busquets
- Played under: Pep Guardiola at Barcelona
- Honourable mentions: Rodri, Xabi Alonso
Obviously the winner of the three-way fight between Spanish defensive midfielders is Sergio Busquets. Rodri's still got a few more years to build his case, however.
CM: Xavi
- Played under: Pep Guardiola at Barcelona
- Honourable mentions: Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Cesc Fabregas
From 2009 to 2011, Xavi finished third in Ballon d'Or voting three years running. No player has ever claimed the metaphorical bronze on more occasions.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne
- Played under: Pep Guardiola at Manchester City
- Honourable mentions: David Silva, Thiago Alcantara, Ilkay Gundogan
Is Kevin De Bruyne - the man spurned by Guardiola at Bayern because he knew they would unite at City - the greatest midfielder in Premier League history?
Yes. Yes he is.
RW: Mohamed Salah
- Played under: Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
- Honourable mentions: Arjen Robben, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling
Right, don't get your undies in a twist just yet. The bloke you're looking for is on the next position down, alright?
Mohamed Salah's longevity and supremacy in Klopp's Liverpool setup cannot be ignored. The other reasonings for his inclusion will be explained below.
CF: Lionel Messi
- Played under: Pep Guardiola at Barcelona
- Honourable mentions: Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, Sergio Aguero
The best version of the best player of all time played as a false nine under Guardiola at Barcelona. He's not getting moved around for anyone, not even the would-be 2020 Ballon d'Or winner or the freakish Norwegian scoring machine.
LW: Andres Iniesta
- Played under: Pep Guardiola at Barcelona
- Honourable mentions: Sadio Mane, Franck Ribery, David Villa
Apologies to the lovers of the traditional winger and orthodox forward. We had to slip in Andres Iniesta somewhere and it made most sense for him to come in on the left.
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