Jurgen Klopp has likened his rivalry with Pep Guardiola to that of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Klopp and Guardiola will face off for the 26th time since 2013 during Sunday’s anticipated Premier League clash between Liverpool and Manchester City.
Both managers have drawn the best out of one another in recent years, with a solitary point separating their sides in two of the previous four seasons.
But Klopp sees similarities between the competitive relationship between Nadal and Federer during their time vying at the top of international tennis.
He said: “I’m a very happy person. I have no problem with the situation or anything like that.
“I’m not Federer and Pep is not Nadal, but they competed on the highest level and are best friends.
“Pep and I are not best friends because we don’t know each other.
“But I respect him a lot and I know he respects what we are doing as well so that’s fine. For a rivalry, you don’t need to be disrespectful
“Around the games, I would say we have a good relationship without meeting, talking or whatever but respectful.
“During the games we are both competitiors and so far we did really well in cutting that out. honestly, the situation is like it is. No problem with that.
“I could always admit brilliance when I saw it and that’s the case.”
Guardiola has entered the final year of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium, leading to speculation that the pair’s touchline battles may soon be at an end.
Klopp, however, revealed the depth of respect for his opposite number amid their plans to catch up once their respective spells in charge are finished.
“My preferred solution is he would have had a sabbatical [for] the last four years – that’s a joke,” added the Liverpool manager.
“I don’t know how often I say it but I think it: he is the best manager in the world and he’s proving that all the time, every day.
“It’s special what they (City) are doing, really special and I respect that. But that’s it.
“He’s told me that when we are not in charge of any clubs anymore, we can sit together and have a glass of wine, even though I’m not a big wine drinker.
“We could [also] do that while I’m working and he’s off. I would visit him and we could have that talk, no problem.”