Pep Guardiola admits he is ‘bothered’ by Jurgen Klopp’s claims about Manchester City’s transfer spending.
The Liverpool manager had argued earlier this week that the Premier League champions are among a select few clubs that invest heavily each summer.
Klopp’s remarks have been met with bemusement by the Etihad Stadium hierarchy ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield showdown between the sides.
Guardiola took issue with his opposite number’s accusations on Friday and pointed to the Reds’ contrasting fortunes in the market over the past 12 months.
The new European champions spent upward of £100 million last year but have only drafted in youngsters Sepp van den Berg and Harvey Elliott this summer.
“Of course it bothers me because it’s not true,” insisted Guardiola.
“It’s Liverpool – ”You’ll Never Walk Alone’ – so it’s not a small team. It’s Liverpool. Of course I don’t like it because it’s not true.
“Last season we spent £17 million [net] – one seven – on just one player.
“Two seasons ago, when we spent a lot, it was because I took over a team of 10-11 players over 30 so you have to do it.
“But we cannot spend £200m every season like, for example, Liverpool spent more than £100m last season but cannot do it this season.
“Today, the clubs cannot spend a lot of money every season.
”I don’t know what happened at Barcelona because I’m not there. If they think they can do it, it’s because they can do it.
“That’s why Financial Fair Play, when something is wrong and the clubs are not correct, they are punished. That is the reality.
“Other managers can say what they say but I can only say that is not true.”
Despite his objections to Klopp’s claims about City, Guardiola was still effusive in his praise for the German coach ahead of their impending Wembley meeting.
He added: “He is a class manager, a top manager. It is an incredible challenge for me when I face his teams.
“The way he plays, his behaviour, his smile, hugging; I think it’s so good for football.
“His message is always in a positive way, sometimes with some exceptions, but most of the time it’s good.”