Pep Guardiola has admitted comments made by Jurgen Klopp regarding Liverpool's inability to compete with Manchester City came as no surprise to him.
Speaking ahead of last Sunday's showdown between the sides at Anfield, the Reds' boss described how the Sky Blues' supreme financial backing from their Abu Dhabi owners - similar to that of other state-owned clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United - has become an advantage that cannot be overlooked.
Klopp's remarks were not well-received by the Sky Blues, or Newcastle for that matter, with some media reports explaining senior City sources felt his views shared in this pre-match press conference were 'borderline xenophobic'. The Liverpool boss has since strongly rejected this idea and the Reds are believed to be taking legal steps against publications in response to the above accusations.
READ MORE: Steven Gerrard breaks silence following brutal Aston Villa sacking
READ MORE: Man City boss Pep Guardiola sends Liverpool title message to Jurgen Klopp
Despite unnamed figures at City being left unhappy with Klopp's statements over spending power, Guardiola has conceded he was not shocked to learn this was the German's stance on the subject.
“Firstly, it’s not a surprise because it is not the first time he has said it. And the second point, it is Brighton [City's upcoming match]," said the 51-year-old.
Referencing comments made by Newcastle's sporting director Dan Ashworth over the Magpies having 'no ceiling' for growth, Klopp added this was not the case for Liverpool. Asked if he felt City and other state-owned clubs had untapped potential, Guardiola reflected from the question, responding: "I said it’s not the first time he said that in the last five or six years, so Brighton."
READ NEXT:
