Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he is not expecting Brendan Rodgers or Rafa Benitez to do Liverpool any favours in the Premier League title race.
Leicester’s Rodgers and Newcastle boss Benitez have both had spells in charge at Anfield, and could play a major part in their former side’s pursuit of a first league title in 29 years.
Liverpool visit Newcastle on Saturday evening, knowing a win will take the title race to the final day of the season.
A win will also move Jurgen Klopp’s side back to the top, with City hosting Rodgers’ Leicester at the Etihad on Monday night.
Despite the Liverpool connection of both managers, Guardiola believes neither will be thinking of doing their title rivals any favours this weekend.
‘Brendan and Rafa were at Liverpool but it’s in the past, they’ll want to win,’ Guardiola said at his pre-match presser.
‘I cannot imagine going to a former club and not wanting to win – even if I do not have to win.
‘They have the prestige… the players and manager will want to win. All of them want to do a good performance. It will be not easy at Newcastle.’
‘Forget about it, I cannot imagine the Leicester players come here on their holidays. I think there will be high pressing, good build-up, quality in the middle.
‘They are going to attack. Leicester before were counter-attacking but I think Brendan has shown his incredible quality as a manager. In just two months they play the way he wants.
‘In the front they have (Harvey) Barnes, (Demarai) Gray, (James) Maddison, (Marc) Albrighton, who are so fast. I saw three games and I was really impressed with the way they played.’
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