Jamie Carragher "left one final challenge" for as the manager prepares to grapple with .

Klopp ended his tenure at Anfield in the summer, concluding a highly successful period, with Arne Slot stepping into his shoes. The Dutchman has made an impressive start, with the Reds currently leading the by eight points.

Slot has admitted that Klopp handed over a well-prepared team that required little to no changes, explaining the minimal player signings during the summer. Meanwhile, Guardiola is striving to break a six-match winless run as City battles with its form.

Liverpool is set to welcome the Manchester side to Anfield this Sunday in what could be a pivotal match, and Carragher concedes that despite Klopp's departure, he has left a significant challenge for the Catalan.

He wrote in the "City versus Liverpool has been the defining rivalry of recent years. Guardiola has been the overall winner, but Klopp left one final challenge for his old adversary to match: How to leave the perfect legacy for a successor to continue your work."

Guardiola has previously admitted that Klopp's Liverpool was the toughest opponent he had to face. The Reds remain the only team to disrupt City's dominance, with the Manchester club winning six out of the last seven titles - Liverpool broke their streak in 2020.

Carragher believes Guardiola's decision to sign a new contract at City was influenced by the club's recent poor form, with the Catalan keen to leave the club in a strong position before his eventual departure. Drawing parallels with Klopp's decision to stay at Liverpool for an extra season, Carragher wrote: "There are echoes of what Klopp did ahead of his final Anfield season.

"Many suspect he stayed longer than intended to reverse an alarming dip in 2022-23. Arne Slot is the first to admit he has been in a position to fine tune rather than start afresh, his one signing to date, Federico Chiesa, yet to start a Premier League match.

"Guardiola wants to leave City on the same terms and the poor run preceding his deal convinced him it was not the right time to walk into the Manchester sunset. The Klopp revival did not lead to another Premier League title, but he must be as proud of leaving the club in such good health as of any of the trophies he lifted."