Pep Guardiola aims spending jibe at Arne Slot after Alexander Isak capture | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola did not pull his punches when asked for his take on Liverpool boss Arne Slot’s comments on his new signing Alexander Isak.

Liverpool broke the British transfer record in the closing week of recent window with the £125 million signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United to further bolster their frontline after the acquisitions of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.

The Reds walked to the Premier League title last season as Manchester City underwent their most difficult campaign under Pep Guardiola, finishing in third place behind Arne Slot’s side and Arsenal with just 71 points.

As goals from midfield dried up and Julian Alvarez was sold to Atletico Madrid for £82 million, Erling Haaland was burdened with an overwhelming majority of Manchester City’s goalscoring responsibility last term, with City often struggling for creativity in midfield to supply their Norwegian talisman up top.

After the tragic passing of Diogo Jota in a car accident in July which left the footballing world in shock and mourning – Liverpool have recruited well in the transfer market as they look to retain the Premier League title and build on Slot’s debut campaign as manager.

Despite being far from their usual best, the Reds have won each of their opening three Premier League games and the same cannot be said for Manchester City, who have looked a shadow of their opening day self that outclassed Wolves at the Molineux Stadium in back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Brighton.

City can return to winning ways against Manchester United on Sunday, with Haaland set to lead the line again for the Blues against one of his favourite opponents as he looks to continue his fine start to the season in front of goal – albeit having missed a series of presentable chances in the 2-1 loss to Brighton before the international break.

Liverpool’s signing of Isak has launched comparisons between the Swede and Haaland, two of the Premier League’s most prolific forwards in recent years alongside Mohamed Salah, with the duo set to play a vital role in how their respective teams fare this term.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of this weekend’s Manchester derby, Guardiola insisted upon his belief that Haaland remains the best goalscorer in world football after Slot suggested Isak for such a title.

“Erling (Haaland) a bit above. Isak is an exceptional player. You ask what Erling is as a striker – he’s the top. But Isak must be a top player for what they (Liverpool) paid, obviously,” said Guardiola in response to Slot’s comments.

“Another person would say (Kylian) Mbappe, another person would say (Lionel) Messi, another person would say Cristiano (Ronaldo). That’s fine. It is a game of opinions and everyone has the right to an opinion.

“What I’m saying is that I would not change Erling (Haaland) for anyone. I know him. He is incredible as a player, adorable as a person and I like him.”