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Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are currently in the United States to represent the Premier League in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, facing at least three fixtures in the group stage and potentially up to seven matches if they reach the final.

Pep Guardiola has reinforced his squad to defend City’s global title, viewing the tournament as the start of a new chapter rather than an extension of the previous season’s disappointments.

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Arsenal enjoy a complete summer off after finishing first and second in the 2024/25 Premier League.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has already argued that avoiding the Club World Cup grants both clubs a significant advantage going into next season.

He highlighted that additional rest allows players to return to pre-season training more refreshed, reducing fatigue and injury risk.

But City and Guardiola are not thinking along those lines, having not only reinforced their playing staff but also the Spaniard’s backroom team for the tournament.

One of those moves was the controversial appointment of former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders.

It was a move that certainly raised eyebrows among the Anfield faithful when the Dutchman was officially unveiled as Guardiola’s assistant last week.

But ahead of City’s clash against Wydad AC on Wednesday, Guardiola addressed the media and revealed he asked for explicit permission from Jurgen Klopp:

“I suggested I was thinking about Pep [Ljinders] and [Klopp] gave me his high opinion,” Guardiola told the media

“After, I took time to reflect.

I asked permission from Jurgen, of course?

I didn’t want to interfere.”

“I asked if it would be a problem and he said absolutely not,” the City boss explained.

“After one or two days we decided yes.”

This should at least make some Reds fans feel a bit better about the situation.

It remains to be seen how Lijnders will be received at Anfield now sporting the colors of a side that pipped Liverpool to two Premier League titles by one point during the Klopp-era.

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