Pep Guardiola refused to compare Arne Slot’s current Liverpool side to the version managed by Jurgen Klopp that he faced so many times as Manchester City manager.

The Catalan has spoken glowingly about Klopp in the past and previously referred to the German as his ‘biggest rival’.

“He put me at another level, to think about it and to prove myself to be a better manager, to try to beat them," Guardiola said on another occasion.

No-one has beaten Guardiola more times in his managerial career than Klopp’s 12 and the pair developed a mutual respect during their time competing not just for the Premier League title, but also the Bundesliga.

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Guardiola faces a different challenge now in Slot, and the Liverpool boss certainly has the upper hand at present.

He is on course to take the Premier League crown away from City this season, with the Reds currently 17 points ahead of the reigning champions.

The two sides lock horns at the Etihad this weekend, with Guardiola in need of three points after a bruising midweek defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Invariably, talk turned to the differences between Liverpool this season and last, but Guardiola was reluctant to be drawn on the matter.

Asked if Liverpool is stronger now than under Klopp, the City boss replied: “I am not going to answer that question.

Slot won his first Premier League meeting with Guardiola in December.

Big compliments and a top team in many aspects, otherwise cannot lose just one game in the Premier League [this season]
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