Gundogan on Pep vs. Klopp: Guardiola's probably world's best

Ilkay Gundogan is among the best qualified to run the rule over two of the Premier League's most storied managers - Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.

The Manchester City midfielder has impressed under the club's new Spanish gaffer since overcoming recent injuries, but is also well accustomed to Liverpool handler Klopp's approach from their four years together at Borussia Dortmund.

"It's difficult to say because both are world-class managers with their own qualities," said Gundogan when asked to compare Pep and Klopp in the match programme for Saturday's 4-0 victory over Bournemouth.

"It wouldn't be fair to say Jurgen Klopp is more emotional, but when you see him on the sidelines living every minute, it's not hard to understand why Dortmund were so successful under him."

While a camera is seemingly on Klopp throughout matches, following the spindly German as he twitches and bounces his way through 90 minutes, Guardiola appears to show more composure in the technical area.

"Pep is equally passionate, but in a different way," Gundogan continued. "He is more like a genius who reads the game and covers every situation imaginable.

"Pep is always showing us how to create space and find solutions and there is no manager like him, which makes him probably the best in the world."

In England's top flight, Guardiola is currently one up one his Liverpool counterpart, sitting atop the division with a full quota of points from the opening five tilts. The Reds, meanwhile, occupy sixth after impressively winning 2-1 at Chelsea on Friday.

The two bosses became familiar through continental commitments in the past, but most commonly, through their battles in Germany - Klopp at Dortmund, and Guardiola at Bayern Munich.

The pair is slated to renew their rivalry on New Year's Eve, when the Blues travel to Anfield looking to avenge 4-1 and 3-0 losses in the league last term.