Guardiola: City do not compare to United or Liverpool

Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola has insisted that his side are not on the same level as Liverpool or Manchester United in terms of history.

The former Barca manager takes his side to Anfield on New Year’s Eve to take on second-placed Liverpool and suggests that Jurgen Klopp’s side are firm contenders for the Premier League title.

Guardiola was present for the Red’s recent 4-1 win over Stoke at Anfield and has admitted he was impressed with what he saw.

"I saw Liverpool this year many times. They are definitely contenders (for the title)," Guardiola said.

"It was my day off, my family was not here and I decide to take a car. Thank you, Liverpool, for inviting me, for the tickets. I saw the game and that's all. We have to equal their intensity. Anfield will play a big role.

"Of course City cannot compare to what Liverpool and (Manchester) United did in the last 30 or 40 years. We must go step-by-step. That is the best way to get better.

"What happens in the past stays in the past. Manchester City is a historic club but a new club in terms of the target.

"There are six teams fighting for the title, especially for the first four positions, fighting for the next Champions League.

"I saw the contenders and they are really tough teams. So it will be a good fight until the end of the season."

Sergio Aguero returns for the Manchester outfit after a serving a four-game ban, while former Everton defender John Stones is expected to be fit after a stint on the side-lines.

"Sergio is ready. He has come back good from Argentina. Finally, he is back after the ban, and we are happy he is back.

"John Stones is much, much better. Vincent Kompany and Leroy Sane, I think they are not available to play."

Photo (Getty Images/Paul Ellis)

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