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What's the story?
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has responded to a question asking him if Liverpool fans envy their Premier League victory last season by reiterating his opinion on the importance of domestic leagues.
The former Barcelona manager has once again insisted that the Premier League takes higher precedence than the UEFA Champions League, adding that winning the domestic league in England is very difficult.
In case you didn't know
Manchester City and Liverpool went head-to-head in one of the closest battles for the English league title last campaign. Guardiola's men ultimately won the race by a single point despite having tallied a staggering 98 points. The Premier League champions went on to complete an unprecedented domestic treble after winning the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
The Reds may have missed out on their first league title in three decades but they did end up being rewarded for their scintillating season by lifting the Champions League title over fellow Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.
Meanwhile, Guardiola has not won the coveted European title since 2011 with Barcelona and has failed to inspire Bayern Munich and Manchester City to the finals in recent years. Last season, City crashed out of the competition after a shock defeat to the Spurs in the quarter-finals.
The heart of the matter
Speaking to Spanish publication Ara, Guardiola was asked if Manchester City are the envy of Jurgen Klopp's men, who have yet again failed to win the league title. The former Blaugrana boss replied (via Mirror Football),
"To win the league in England is very hard. The test is that it is the first time in 11 years that a team has repeated a league win, which Barça has done many times."
"By contrast, Liverpool have not won the league for 30 years, and we all saw what Liverpool are this year."
"Winning is very addictive and gives you energy. This gives you the league, no more competition. That's why when they tell me ‘But he has not won the Champions League’, I answer that I would like to clarify that I would like the Champions League, but the league is what makes the players follow you because every three days you win."
"Instead, when you lose, players stop believing in you. The league puts you in place. That is why I have had it, from managing the ( Barcelona ) B team, as the absolute priority.
"I can not leave everything at random from a less controllable competition such as the Champions League or the cups, as they are in England."
What's next?
Manchester City will return to action when they face West Ham in the Premier League Asia Trophy on July 17.
