Pep Guardiola has described creating a rivalry with Liverpool as an 'honour' while insisting top clubs require close competition to continue improving.
Liverpool and Manchester City have reached levels not previously witnessed, with both sides recording record points tallies. Indeed, the two clubs are responsible for the four highest totals achieved in Premier League history (97,98, 99, 100) and will go down as two greats of the modern era.
Two separate title races between the teams have been decided on the final day of the campaign and by a single point, with the Sky Blues prevailing on both occasions in the most dramatic of circumstances. City's rise as a club able to compete for top spot has been well-documented, with the arrival of owner Sheik Mansour in September 2008 dramatically changing the team's fortunes.
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Many are expecting City and Liverpool to go head-to-head for glory once again this term, with the summer signings of Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland only adding to the intrigue of another title tussle. Had it not been for the Reds in recent seasons, Guardiola's men would have won each of the last five titles by a comprehensive margin, with their status as champions confirmed long before the final week of the season.
The capture of Haaland is likely to make City even stronger, but Liverpool can certainly not be written off at this stage. Asked to provide his view on the competition for top spot being offered by the Reds, Guardiola responded: "We were able to create this rivalry, that's true.
"The last years, the biggest opponent we faced to win the title in all competitions was Liverpool. To be part of that is an honour. Before that it didn't happen in this club. When Sheikh Mansour took over the club and after making investments, we could create a good environment to compete with the elite of English football. Sport is like this, individual and collective, you need someone to make you better."
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