LIVERPOOL LEGEND MAKES BOLD PEP GUARDIOLA CLAIM THAT ARNE SLOT SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has dismissed any suggestion that Pep Guardiola is a 'genius' manager. The Manchester City boss has been involved in some titanic tussles with Jürgen Klopp down the years and believes the German has been the 'toughest opponent' of his career.

It looks as though Arne Slot will get to test himself against the Spaniard next season, having previously been compared to Guardiola due to his attacking style of play. Slot has even admitted to being inspired by the City boss, who many believe to be one of the greatest ever.

He could lead his side to a record fourth successive Premier League title this season, with City locked in a battle with Arsenal at the top. Yet Souness isn't convinced it all comes down to his managerial credentials.

"Recruitment is the single biggest thing you have to get right at a football club. If you've got great players with an average manager, you've got a chance of winning stuff. The likelihood is you will win stuff," he told the Three Up Front podcast.

“Pep Guardiola, whatever league he's been in, he's had the best group of players. He took over from Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona, where he had Messi at 20 or 19. Then he goes to Bayern Munich, and he takes over from Jupp Heynckes, [who won] four trophies, every trophy including the European Cup.

“Then he comes to City, the richest, and a team that just needed the slightest bit of tweaking. And yes, he obviously manages players very well. But for me there's no genius there.”

Guardiola has spent over $1.3bn (£1bn/€1.2bn) on new players since taking over at Manchester City in 2016 (per Transfermarkt). Liverpool meanwhile has forked out around $1bn (£800m/€928m) on new recruits during the Klopp era.

Both sides will likely look to strengthen again this summer although any major incomings will likely have to be funded by outgoings due to strict Profit and Sustainability Rules in the Premier League.

Liverpool.com says: There is no doubt that Guardiola has spent big, and worked with the best players, but his continued success should not be questioned. Were it not for this City team, Liverpool would have dominated the Premier League for the last five years. Souness' comments should also act as a warning to Arne Slot ahead of his arrival, with Liverpool unable to afford making any mistakes in the transfer market.

2024-05-09T22:10:04Z dg43tfdfdgfd