Pep Guardiola says he is not concerned by rival clubs spending money as Manchester City aim to hold off several challengers for their Premier League title.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager was speaking ahead of Wednesday’s pre-season friendly against Liverpool in New York, following their 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
The Reds have been busy this transfer window this off-season with a number of additions moving to Merseyside, including Xherdan Shaqiri, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Alisson, whilst there has also been speculation of Nabil Fekir and Thomas Lemar joining.
But Guardiola remained coy when asked whether there would be any more additions at the Etihad following the arrival of Riyadh Mahrez, and added the business of other clubs does not worry him.
“I am not concerned about what one of us said one day and the circumstances. If Liverpool believes they should spend this kind of money, it is because they believe it is best for them.”
Guardiola also spoke about his recent three-year contract extension with City for the first time, and whilst pleased to tie himself to the club until 2021, he understands he has to continue to deliver a challenge for trophies.
“Khaldoon [Al Mubarak], Txiki [Begiristain] and Ferran [Soriano] know it depends on results. We have three more years on the contract, but the results will dictate what will happen in the future.
“That’s the most important thing – to be consistent, and to arrive in April and May and be there for the title.
“As football trainers we are always in a dangerous position.”
Liverpool’s last title came via the 2011-12 EFL Cup, with league honours proving elusive since 1990.
Asked if Liverpool – in the United States for the International Champions Cup – need to win a trophy this season, Klopp said: “You are right and people will say that. It is the next step.
“It would be the next step and we need to be ready for that. I cannot give guarantees here but I understand if people think that. I know about the expectations and that is completely normal.
“First of all we have to play the football that gives us an opportunity to win something. We cannot talk about winning something before we start the season.
“Football is not like cycling so we have lost a lot of things. The other day I put on a session and had to stop it and start again. I was: ‘Four players, one row, that’s how we defend.’
“It’s not that the boys wanted to do it a different way but there’s a big change at this moment – new players coming in from another club, players in after a long time out; you are starting new more or less. When you have the complete team together you can build on the basis a little bit more.
“I am confident we can build on last season. It’s not that we lost things completely but you have to work on it to get it back. The football the boys played last year was not easy. There was a lot of work invested into playing like that. That’s what we will do again. I am not in doubt about our basis or that we will reach it again.
“I want to have the best start ever but we all know that something can happen and then everything is questioned in a second. I don’t want to prepare anyone for a bad start because I don’t want to have one but it is possible, I cannot ignore that completely.