Jurgen Klopp vs Pep Guardiola: Comparing their best signings at Liverpool and Manchester City as title race nears epic conclusion

Jurgen Klopp vs Pep Guardiola: Comparing their best signings at Liverpool and Manchester City as title race nears epic conclusion
The Premier League title race is almost over and it promises to be dramatic as both Liverpool and Manchester City vie for the prestigious crown.Neither side is relenting in their quest for top spot.Separating the two rivals is proving almost impossible, as City attempt to defend their title from Liverpool, a team that last celebrated being the best in England 29 years ago.

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola will be desperate to lift the Premier League trophy

As it stands, Liverpool are top and clear by two points.However, they have played a game more. So if City were able to beat bitter rivals Manchester United next Wednesday, they would be one point clear.With Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax leading the way in the Champions League, the policy of spending big to win big seems a touch outdated.And in the Premier League, City and Liverpool are two of the biggest. So how have the respective mangers spent their money since taking charge?

Here’s how the top of the Premier League table looks currently

Here at talkSPORT.com, we wanted to examine how both managers have used the considerable transfer funds at their disposal to propel their sides into the reckoning for the top prize in the English game.With Klopp taking over in 2015 and Guardiola arriving just a year later, the time frame for comparison is almost identical.

JURGEN KLOPP STATS

The German is not afraid to splash the cash...

Date joined: 7/10/15
Players signed: 13
Total amount spent on transfers: 398,475,000
Average transfer fee per player: 30,651,923

*stats courtesy of transfermarkt.co.ukTo describe Brendan Rodgers’ transfer policy at Liverpool as erratic would be fair and his sacking saw the Fenway Sports Group search overseas for his successor.Klopp’s self-imposed sabbatical from Borussia Dortmund was soon over and the German was tasked with getting the Reds back to the pinnacle of world football.With a second successive Champions League Final almost delivered and a first ever Premier League title within his grasp, it’s fair to say the 51-year-old has succeeded.

TRANSFER MISSES

Ragnar Klavan has struggled at Liverpool

Since his first transfer window in January 2016, Klopp has altered his transfer policy somewhat. At Dortmund, he brought through a team of academy graduates and bargain buys to Bundelisga glory. Signing Robert Lewandowski for just 4.5million was a particularly shrewd move.His attempt to be as frugal on Merseyside was not a complete success, to put it politely, as the likes of Ragnar Klavan, Marko Grujic and Loris Karius proved to all be poor signings.While it is perhaps too early to judge him, Naby Keita has not had the impact many had hoped, nor that his early form promised.

TRANSFER HITS

Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are two of the most in-form players in world football

In all honesty, the German has worked wonders with his business dealings since taking over at Anfield.By changing from his bargain hunting style to an all-out charm offensive, Klopp has welcomed some of the biggest names to the red half of Merseyside.Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Fabinho have all proved invaluable to Liverpool’s title challenge and Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker are arguably the best in the world in their respective positions.

PEP GUARDIOLA STATS

The Spaniard has inspired a revolution with City's riches...

Date joined: 30/6/16
Players signed: 22
Total amount spent on transfers: 539,721,000
Average transfer fee per player: 24,532,773

*stats courtesy of transfermarkt.comAfter performing football miracles at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, the Manchester City board finally convinced Pep Guardiola to try his hand in the Premier League.An indifferent debut season saw the Spaniard show his ruthless side as he completely revamped City’s defence by cutting out the likes of Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta and Joe Hart – all firm fan favourites.However, his methods clearly deliver results and last season’s record-breaking Premier League title success is proof of that. But the lack of Champions League success will irk the former Barca captain.

TRANSFER MISSES

Claudio Bravo was wildly inconsistent in between the sticks

Guardiola has spent big during his time at the Etihad, but you cannot fault his efficiency.After deciding the aforementioned Hart was not technically gifted enough, he immediately shipped the England intentional out tin place of Claudio Bravo. However, the arrival from La Liga proved to be a flop and Guardiola was forced to delve into the transfer market 12 months later.Another player from that first window who could not cut it was Nolito, a player who promised a lot but delivered little. And the jury is out on RiyadMahrez still – a player lacking consistency and the pedigree in big games.

TRANSFER HITS

Signing Sane, Jesus and Silva have proved to be fantastic pieces of business

Like Klopp, when Guardiola gets it right in the transfer window, he gets it very right.Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva, Ederson and Gabriel Jesus can form the spine of this City team for years and the mix of decorated players from across the continent yet to hit their prime like Ilkay Gundogan and Benjamin Mendy also makes for a great squad.The Spaniard has also spent well when bargain hunting. Oleksandr Zinchenko has developed into a Premier League standard defender while Jack Harrison (on loan at Leeds United) could well become a regular in years to come.

CONCLUSION

Jurgen Klopp’s revolution at Liverpool may have cost a pretty penny, but the German takes the biscuit in this contest.While Guardiola has added to an already star-studded City team, his title adversary has literally taken a side struggling to qualify from the Europa League to the brink of a European and domestic double.Should Klopp win the Premier League title this season, the signings he has brought in during the past 12 months alone will be crucial to a potentially historic season for the Reds.

Man United sign Diogo Dalot for £17.4m on five-year deal from Porto as Jose Mourinho says 'In his age group, he's the best full back in Europe' Manchester United defender Young works out with
Diogo Dalot: Man Utd's Latest Adddition - Football Scouted

Manchester United have won more trophies than any other club in English football,with a record 20 League titles, 12 FA Cups, 5 League Cups and a record 21 FA Community Shields. United have also won three Champions Leagues

Man City fans react as Liverpool FC drop points in Premier League title race. Manchester City stay top with nine games remaining after Liverpool could only muster a goalless draw against Everton.
Premier League title 2018-19: 10 games that decided its

Aitor Karanka’s men are now without a win in five league games

Daniel Levy 'couldn't believe his eyes' as he watched Tottenham fight back to beat Ajax and seal their place in the Champions League final, former manager Martin Jol has told talkSPORT.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy 'couldn't believe his eyes

Puel’s job at Leicester is looking increasingly uncertain

Transfer news and football gossip: Paul Pogba move OFF, Liverpool rule out striker signing, Arsenal transfer blow fpnews June 11, 2019 0 talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer news and football gossip from Tuesday's papers and online Manchester United have told Real Madrid Paul Pogba is not for sale and have refused to give a price
Transfer news, rumours LIVE: Man Utd identify Pogba

Hazard cut a frustrated figure during Saturday’s defeat to Arsenal

Bayern Munich's star trio of Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Thomas Muller have been axed from the German national team by Joachim Low. Like Bayern Munich, thr German national team is taking decisive steps to rebuild a younger team after a disappointing World Cup last summer.
Niko Kovac Expecting Response from Muller, Boateng, Hummels

Sessegnon could be available in the summer.

The final match of the month for Liverpool was an away trip to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League group stages. The hosts went ahead through a goal from Juan Bernat, followed by a goal from Neymar to double the lead for the hosts.
il Mago reborn: the Herrera (5-3-2) challenge - FMM Vibe

Sarri has made no secret about his lack of involvement in Chelsea’s transfer dealings

May 10, 2019 · Arsenal and Chelsea have said they will receive only around 6,000 tickets each for the Europa League final in Baku.. Arsenal described as "disappointing" their 6,000 allocation for the 68,700
Arsenal and Chelsea given just 6,000 tickets each for Europa

England: How Three Lions could line-up at World Cup 2022, with Jadon Sancho, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Phil Foden All three stars could play a huge part in England's next World Cup campaign By Jake
How Three Lions could line-up at World Cup 2022, with Jadon
sportsalert.org/2019/03/22/how-three-lions-could-line-up-at-world-cup-2022-with-jadon-sancho-callum-hudson-odoi-and-phil-foden/
Lethal All three stars could play a huge part in England's next World Cup campaign Jadon Sancho could play a starring role for England at the 2022 World Cup. The 18-year-old's dazzling displays with Borussia Dortmund saw him make his senior Three Lions debut against Croatia in October.
~ England: How Three Lions could line-up at World Cup 2022

Celtic vs Red Bull Salzburg: Europa League match preview

Barcelona players celebrate their LaLiga title win on Saturday

'The referee was probably one of the worst I've seen in my whole career, a disaster': Cesc Fabregas slams official that oversaw Chelsea's Europa League draw against Vidi, prompting concerns of
Cesc Fabregas crashes Callum Hudson-Odoi Chelsea interview

A tough year for Isco and Marco Asensio shows leaving Real Madrid may be their best chance of progress The pair have been linked with Premier League transfers and Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham
A tough year for Isco and Marco Asensio shows leaving Real

Virgil van Dijk celebrates a debut goal against Everton

Eagle eyed viewers believe Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy swore behind Claude Puel's back in the wake of Sunday's defeat by Manchester United. England international Marcus Rashford scored his eighth goal in 13 outings to earn a 1-0 victory at the King Power Stadium for Manchester United. Vardy seemed incensed at the full time whistle
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy appears to call Claude
sportsalert.org/2019/02/03/leicester-city-striker-jamie-vardy-appears-to-call-claude-puel-a-fg-kd-while-talking-to-manchester-united-star-paul-pogba/
TIRADE The former England international seemed to be incensed at his manager at the final whistle Jamie Vardy appeared to swear behind Claude Puel's back after seeing the Leicester City boss chatting with Paul Pogba at the final whistle at the King Power Stadium.
Does Leicester striker Jamie Vardy call boss Claude Puel a 'f