Pep Guardiola believes Liverpool remain Manchester City’s “best rivals” in the Premier League title race.
Domestic action resumes on Saturday lunchtime when Jurgen Klopp’s side make the trip to the Etihad Stadium in a fixture that has often decided where the title lands come May.
The Reds trail the champions by just a point at the top of the table and would go top with a victory.
With Liverpool struggling to scale previous heights last season, Arsenal emerged as City’s rivals but Guardiola’s side eventually won a third consecutive League title by five points.
While the Gunners remain in the title picture and have already beaten City twice, Guardiola believes it is Klopp’s Liverpool who have given his side the biggest challenge.
“Time goes forward, eight years and Liverpool are not the same team as at the start," he said.
“They are similar of course, Trent Alexander-Arnold can play inside now but the ideas are similar. Always they've been our best rivals.
"Top club, top team, looking forward to it."
Asked if the rivalry was similar to the one he encountered against Real Madrid while in charge of Barcelona, Guardiola said: “It's different, I think it's different. The last decade since I’ve been here they’ve been our best rivals.
“Every compliment to Liverpool and Man City to still be here.”
City could have Erling Haaland available for the game despite the striker suffering a foot injury while away with Norway over the international break.
Guardiola confirmed the striker was in training in the build-up to the game as he hunts for his first goal against Liverpool since joining City from Borussia Dortmund.
