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In Curiously Cordial Premier League Race, Rivals Lift Each Other’s Games

Jason Cairnduff/Reuters

MANCHESTER, England — Not once, no matter how bad the temptation or how high the stakes or how deep his frustration, has Pep Guardiola done what he is supposed to do. He has not called Liverpool lucky, or hinted at a conspiracy among referees in awarding penalties at Anfield, or questioned whether his chief rival had the resolve to stay the course.

Instead, Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, has been unremittingly, unapologetically positive. Liverpool and its manager, Jürgen Klopp, kept him awake at night, he said earlier this season. He has called Klopp the best manager in the world for crafting high-energy teams.