Pep Lijnders now works as one of Pep Guardiola’s right-hand men, and he has been given the freedom to impart his ideas at Man City.Liverpool’s former assistant manager is now working for a direct rival, despite insisting upon leaving Anfield with Jurgen Klopp that he will “not assist anyone else.”It came as a shock appointment after he worked tirelessly at Anfield to stop City’s domination under a regime who are still on the hook for financial breaches.Lijnders received the backing of Klopp and Liverpool’s ownership, and Guardiola has placed his trust in the Dutchman and his ideas, which includes operating a very high line.Has Pep Linders already had an influence on Pep’s Man City?pic.twitter.com/YKrHrsoRbl— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) August 18, 2025It was on show in their win at Wolves, which Jamie Carragher noted was “very Liverpool-like” on Sky Sports, and again in their 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.The openness to welcome Lijnders’ ideas comes from Guardiola seeking “something that maybe we didn’t have” when finishing third last season, but Liverpool know the dangers of sitting so high.“With Pep, I know [him] from many, many years with Jurgen,” Guardiola told Sky Sports‘ One on One Podcast. “And I thought, ‘Okay, if he has been many, many years with Jurgen, this guy must be good!’“After [that] he has, of course, been at Salzburg and has experience as a manager. “We talked just one day and I said I would like to [work] with you. Sometimes I have decisions that come from the feelings.“And I knew Liverpool played outstanding in the decade we have been together. I think he can give us something that maybe we didn’t have in the last season in terms of rhythm, intensity, in terms of another vision of football.“Since day one, I think we were incredibly connected. I would say it’s so easy to work with me, sorry to tell you, because I give incredible space to do what they believe they have to do.“I think we needed one phone call. And I said, ‘Okay, let’s do it. Let’s go together.’ That’s the way it was.”Quite how influential Lijnders can be at City, for good or bad, will become more apparent as the season progresses, but if Guardiola persists with the high line, their rivals will know there is a weakness to exploit.Liverpool’s first match against Guardiola’s side is at the Etihad on November 8.