"Last season was much worse."
In the immediate aftermath of Manchester City's 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, Pep Guardiola was thinking of Liverpool.
And this latest result has left many fans questioning whether Liverpool even had some sort of part to play in City's latest quarter-final defeat.
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City was cauterised 3-0 at Anfield in the same stage of last season's competition.
And last night City's team selection appeared cautious, as Guardiola opted for players that you would not normally describe as regulars in City's starting XI.
Fabian Delph was gifted a start at left-back and was found to be at fault for the winning goal, while Riyad Mahrez also had a quiet game.
But for evidence that Jurgen Klopp's Reds are beginning to get under Guardiola's skin, look no further than City's bench last night.
With a tricky Premier League trip to Crystal Palace looming on Sunday, Kevin De Bruyne was left out of the starting XI as well as Leroy Sane, resulting in a lack of creativity from the away side.
Guardiola admitted in his post match press conference that he decided to choose İlkay Gundogan and Fernandinho as the pair offered greater defensive attributes.
The Catalan seemed reluctant to field a similar midfield to the one that left his side so exposed against Liverpool last year.
And with the league so tight at the top this season and both clubs still remaining a firm part of the Champions League competition, Liverpool are breathing down the neck of Pep Guardiola in both competitions.
The Reds are sure to stay on the mind of City's boss between now and the end of the season.
