Pep Guardiola plans to confront Jurgen Klopp over his claims about Manchester City.
The Liverpool manager cited the Premier League leaders’ postponed game at Everton in December because of a coronavirus outbreak within their squad.
Klopp mistakenly alleged that City had enjoyed a two-week ‘break’ as a result of the cancellation despite Sunday’s visitors only sidelined for half that period.
And Guardiola has hit back at his opposite number, pointing to his side fielding a squad of just 14 players for their win at Chelsea on January 3.
“He made a mistake,” said the City manager.
“It was two months off, or three months off? No, [it was] four. Four months off. That’s why we are in top form right now.
“Jurgen has to see the calendar again. We had Covid, we have one week and we [still] played with 14 players at Stamford Bridge.
“But maybe I’m wrong and it was not two weeks, it was three or four weeks.
“When I see Jurgen I’ll say to him: ‘how many weeks or days were we off?’
“I’m surprised. I thought Jurgen was not that type of manager, like other ones who are usually doing it. I didn’t expect that comment.
“But maybe it was a misunderstanding from him. If he sees the calendar again he will realise it was not two weeks, it was two months.”
Although the Catalan denied he was irritated by Klopp’s remarks, he added: “He knows it’s not true, come on!
“Nobody in the Premier League has had two weeks off! Everyone knows it.
“Some of them with that kind of situation does it for purpose but I didn’t expect he would do it. I thought he’s not that type of guy.
“But if he did it, OK. Welcome. Maybe I was wrong.”