Manchester City and Liverpool write thrilling new English 'Clasico' chapter in friendliest of rivalries between managers

By Matias Grez, CNN

Updated 0921 GMT (1721 HKT) April 11, 2022

Sunday's match between Manchester City and Liverpool provided a thrilling game for fans.

Eithad Stadium, Manchester (CNN)Football rivalries are often difficult to define.

This is, in large part, due to the numerous complex historical, sometimes political, reasons that shape decades-long feuds between two opposing sets of supporters.In recent seasons,Liverpool and Manchester City have provided fans of English football with some of the most thrilling battles the English Premier League has ever seen.The fact these two clubs have essentially beencompeting against each other in a league of their own in the division has cultivated a level of disdain between the teams and their fans.But prior to the past four seasons, it's unlikely either set of supporters would have had a bad word to say about the other.Read MoreThe current iterations of these two sides are likely the most talented this league has ever seen, but a clash of talent alone does not make a great rivalry.This matchup has no doubt earned the label of English football's new 'Clasico' bestowed on it by some sections of the media, though it certainly lacks the punch of its Spanish namesake.Even Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp, two intense characters that are widely considered two of the greatest tactical masterminds of their generation, did their best to avoid creating any animosity at all in the build, with both men exceedingly complimentary about each other.Klopp called his counterpart «the best coach in the world» and Guardiola returned the favor by insisting the German «makes world football a better place to live.»Guardiola even went as far as saying he believes