Klopp backs under-fire Guardiola

LONDON: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists Pep Guardiola doesn’t deserve to be questioned following Manchester City’s Champions League exit.

Guardiola was criticised after City squandered a two-goal first leg advantage against Monaco as they crashed out of the Champions League following a 3-1 defeat in France on Wednesday.

It was just the latest setback for City boss Guardiola, who has endured a difficult time in his first season in England following his move from Bayern Munich.

With fourth-placed Liverpool only a point behind City going into this weekend’s Premier League clash at Eastlands, the pressure is on Guardiola, but Klopp sees no reason to doubt the Spaniard will get it right eventually.

“I am not in doubt about his quality. Maybe a few people are but I am not. I respect him a lot,” Klopp said on Friday.

“I know probably a few people think differently now they are out of the Champions League but I think the way they played was as impressive as Monaco.

“City could have won the game easily in the second half but because they are human beings they missed a few chances.

“For me City is the most difficult team to play. I know their image at this moment in this country is a little bit different,” Klopp said.