How Klopp, Pep, and Klopp-v-Pep Changed Soccer Forever

One last time, huh?

Ahead of Sunday’s game at Anfield, I wrote about the managers for Liverpool and Manchester City:

Although Pep's City are further than ever from Klopp's heavy-metal Liverpool, they're also using Klopp's main tactic -- winning possession in the attacking third -- selectively and more effectively than ever before. Liverpool, meanwhile, still live in chaos -- only two teams average more possessions per match than their 94, but within that chaos, they still find more moments of control than they used to.

And so, on Sunday we might see Liverpool score a goal from a complex, extended passing movement. We could see City score from a long pass, a high turnover and quick-hit move toward goal. Or we could see the exact opposite. Eight years on, Klopp and Guardiola have pushed and transformed each other as much as they've transformed the league around them.

Enjoy the match. We probably won’t ever see another one like it.