Pep Guardiola has conceded his time as Manchester City manager cannot be considered 'complete' until he helps the club win the Champions League.
The Sky Blues, despite their success in domestic competitions, have failed to win Europe's elite competition under the stewardship of Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and Guardiola. City reached the semi-final of the Champions League in 2015/16, last season and the final in 2020/21 but the biggest trophy of all continues to eldue them.
A number of first-team players have spoken of their desire to help the club achieve glory in this tournament, with Guardiola also desperate to deliver this title. The Catalan coach recently signed a new contract to keep him at the Etihad until 2025 and has only one focus in mind for the coming years.
EXCLUSIVE: Caoimhin Kelleher on becoming Liverpool's Carabao Cup king and his extra motivation to beat Man City
READ MORE: What it means for Liverpool sale as FSG learn of $4bn NBA deal
"It's not the only one but I admit it's the trophy we want and my period here will not be complete if we don't win it," the former Barcelona boss said at his pre-Liverpool press conference on Wednesday afternoon. He added: "That's not the only reason [to sign an extension]. I will do everything in the time we have together but I'd say the same before. It's the trophy we don't have and we'll try to do it."
Liverpool have reached three Champions League finals under Jurgen Klopp, most recently in May, and enjoyed an evening to remember in Madrid three years ago after beating Tottenham Hotspur to clinch a sixth European Cup.
The Reds' boss also brought the club's long wait for a league title to an end during the 2019/20 campaign, having been pipped to first place by City on the final day. At an awards dinner attended by Klopp and Guardiola in November 2019, the latter jokingly asked if the pair could swap trophies as he went in search of success in Europe and Liverpool looked to end their top-flight title drought.
“We really want this one and he (Klopp) really wants this one, maybe we can swap," said the 51-year-old, turning his attention to the European Cup that accompanied the Reds' boss that evening.
READ NEXT:
- Liverpool have finally found out how best to use Darwin Nunez
- Every word Pep Lijnders said on Liverpool January transfer plans, Man City return and injury news
- ‘I’ll get him’ - Andy Robertson promised to take revenge on Brazilian who targeted Liverpool team-mate
-
Kostas Tsimikas in agreement with Andy Robertson over FSG sale plan at Liverpool
-
Liverpool have finally found out how best to use Darwin Nunez
