Pep Guardiola has fired another one at Liverpool, questioning why their spending and sponsorship arrangements are treated differently than Manchester City’s.
It’s been the Premier League’s longest-running rivalry, but the bank statements of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp make for stark contrasts.
Klopp became Liverpool manager in October 2015, and Guardiola became Manchester City manager the following summer.
The pair have dominated the Premier League title fight for the past four years, but a closer look at the transfer balance sheets of both teams reveals the magnitude of Klopp’s achievements.
During his time as Liverpool manager, Klopp has won four major trophies, including the 2019 Champions League, whereas Guardiola has brought eight trophies to Man City, including three Premier League crowns.
On Sunday, the Spanish coach made waves when he slammed Liverpool’s perceived favoritism, telling beIN Sports unprompted
He also made a jab at Liverpool’s less-than-stellar Premier League record over the last three decades and stated that they are widely known in the European footballing world rather than in England.
Guardiola explained to Sky Sports why he believes there is a level of snobbery surrounding the City’s expenditures.
“Listen, when Liverpool in the 70s or 80s (were winning trophies) who spent more money? Was it Norwich? Did Norwich spend more money in that period?”
“Did Leicester spend more money? No, they (Liverpool) spend more money than the other ones. But the money then is completely different than now.”
“They have an incredible history behind them in European competitions. Not in the Premier League, because they’ve won one in 30 years.”
Warra Tackle From Pep to Klopp and Looserpool 🤣🤣💔 pic.twitter.com/2Vy36wqqDJ
— Praise Lete (@_Praiselete) May 8, 2022
The Spanish coach has turned his ire on his competitors’ spending, which he believes is regarded and seen differently than City’s. Guardiola just completed a £51 million deal for Erling Haaland, though agents’ fees, bonuses, and wages will push the final figure far higher.
“I’m not saying we are better or worse than the other clubs. It’s absolutely normal. I say that’s why my quote is to defend my players. It looks like everything in world football starts and finishes with the Champions League. The Champions League is massively important, it’s a dream for us. We will not reach it (this season), next season we are going to try. With me, without me, these players and other players in the future as long as the owners we have in Abu Dhabi sustain the ideas of the club, it’s going to continue.
“Liverpool has much much more leagues than us before in the 1970s and 80s, they won a lot alongside United. But in the Premier League, they’ve only won once. That means when I give credit to my players, it’s not to underestimate Liverpool because in the last three or four years they (Liverpool) could have won the same leagues we have won because the margin was incredibly tight. But it shows how difficult the Premier League is. But it looks like the Premier League doesn’t matter because it’s just the Champions League.”
Pep Guardiola talks MONEY. 🤫💙 @footballdaily pic.twitter.com/DZbGqpycfX
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) May 11, 2022
Only twice have Liverpool broken the English transfer record when they bought Peter Beardsley from Newcastle United for £1.9million in 1987 and spent £8.5million on Stan Collymore in 1995.
