Pep Guardiola and Man City might still have to play Jurgen Klopp and
Liverpool again in extraordinary
Premier League finish. When City fought out their enthralling 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield earlier this month, it was seen as the end of the fantastic rivalry between the two superstar managers. It is the German who boasts the superior head-to-head record, winning eight of their 22 meetings in English
Football in comparison to the Spaniard's seven victories. Yet, it is Guardiola who has lifted more silverware. While Klopp has won every major honour with the Reds, with his second League Cup win last month taking his overall total of trophies at Anfield to eight, Guardiola has won 16 trophies with Man City - including five Premier League titles. Both Liverpool and Man City are again competing for the title again this year, with the Reds one point ahead of the reigning champions, who currently sit third, with 10 Premier League fixtures remaining. But while the pair are continuing to battle each other as a result, their 1-1 draw at Anfield signalled the end of an era ahead of Klopp's exit at the end of the season. It was the last time the German's Liverpool side would take to the field against Guardiola's Man City. Or is it? READ MORE: Angry Klopp shows weakness that City can capitalise upon READ MORE: Kevin De Bruyne contract stance and Man City state of play amid Saudi transfer interest Of course, such a notion was accompanied by a caveat - It was still possible that they could enjoy one final showdown at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup . However, the Reds' quarter-final exit to
Manchester United on Sunday has ended any such possibility. There's a chance, however, that we might see one more showdown between Klopp's Liverpool and Guardiola's Man City. The Premier League season could end in an unexpected way.
Arsenal are currently leading the league, but only because they've scored more goals than Liverpool. But with their next match against City on Sunday, March 31st they could easily slip to third place behind both of their title rivals. The gap between City and Liverpool is so small that their 1-1 draw at Anfield has made it possible for them to face off in a title play-off at a neutral ground to decide who will be champions at the end of the season. If the top two teams finish the season with the same number of points, the league position is decided by goal difference, then goals scored, then most points in the head-to-head matches, then most away goals in the head-to-head record. Liverpool currently have one point more than City and a better goal difference by four (+39 to +35), having scored two more goals than their rivals and conceded two less. It's still possible that these records could be the same by May. After that, it comes down to the head-to-head record. But Liverpool and Man City drew 1-1 at both the Etihad and at Anfield. So, if there's no way to separate them, a 39th game would be needed. However, if Liverpool and Arsenal end up with the same points in the Premier League, there won't be a play-off match to decide the winner. This is because Arsenal has a better goal difference of +46 (they've scored five more goals and let in two less than Liverpool) and they've also beaten Liverpool in their head-to-head matches. They drew 1-1 at Anfield in December, then won 3-1 at the Emirates in February. Arsenal also beat Man City 1-0 at home in October. So, only if they lose 1-0 at the Etihad next month could there be a play-off for the Premier League title against Guardiola's team. Of course, a lot of things would have to happen for this play-off scenario to become real. But it's still possible that a 39th game might be needed to decide between Liverpool and City. At the very least, it would be the most fitting end to Klopp and Guardiola's rivalry on English soil, facing off in a play-off clash where the stakes have never been higher. In what would be the most exciting finish ever to a Premier League season, one last clash between the old foes cannot yet be discounted.