Manchester City and Liverpool renew hostilities on the pitch when they meet in the Community Shield on Sunday.
But the two sides who took last season’s Premier League title race to the final day have already begun trading barbs off the field.
Last week saw Jurgen Klopp take a pop
The Kop chief insisted he was not jealous of the champions’ spending power, but declared that they, Real Madrid , Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain operate in “fantasia land”.
“It looks like there are four clubs in the world who can do it [spend money] constantly: Madrid, Barcelona, City and PSG.
“Whatever they need, they do. You cannot compare that. That is the situation.”
Klopp’s claims came despite the Reds’ spending since the start of 2018 outstripping their rivals at the Etihad.
City have curtailed their lavish spending in recent seasons, and have signed four senior players in the last four transfer windows - Aymeric Laporte, Riyad Mahrez, Rodri and Angelino - for around £180million
Liverpool spent £160million - before add-ons - on four players last summer, having splashed £75million on Virgil van Dijk the previous January.
The Reds also spent £44million on agents’ fees in 2018, according to the FA; City spent £24million.
As such, City’s chief operating officer Omar Berrada has responded, declaring: “We were a little bit surprised by what was said. Liverpool are a great sporting rival.
“I don’t know why they would make these comments. I don’t know why they would look at other clubs.
“It’s not frustration or anger, we just find it curious that they’d be highlighting our spending.
“We’re fine with their spending. The reality is that all the top clubs invest as they see fit.
“Saying us, PSG, Real Madrid and Barcelona always invest £200million is not correct.
"We don’t look at what others do.”
