Paul Merson has doubled down on his suggestion that Pep Guardiola deserves the Manager of the Season ahead of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds have already secured the Carabao and FA Cup this season and are into the final of the Champions League, where they will take on Real Madrid on May 28. City lead Liverpool ahead of the final match of the Premier League campaign and are firm favourites to retain their top-flight crown.
Klopp's side have earned high praise for their performances this term, though Merson is one individual who has been less impressed by the efforts of the Reds. The former Arsenal midfielder launched a bizarre attack on Liverpool in a recent Daily Star column, insisting the team's domestic success had come down to penalty shootout fortune.
READ MORE: 'It's hard to convince' - Wolves boss Bruno Lage makes Liverpool transfer claim
Standing by this claim on Sky Sports, and that Guardiola should be recognised as the division's standout coach, the pundit said: "I see Liverpool winning the Champions League, losing more games in that than they have in the Premier League. And they didn't win the Premier League. That's how hard it is.
"They haven't even won both finals, they won on penalties. In 120 minutes, they failed to win both games. The Premier League is the ultimate. Week in and week out, you have to turn up."
Providing an alternative argument to Merson, former Crystal Palace forward Clinton Morrison said: "You're saying they won on penalties, but that doesn't matter. They've been outstanding in both games. They won it. For me, Jeff, it's Jurgen Klopp. Three trophies."
