Pep Guardiola has hit back at Jurgen Klopp after the Liverpool manager suggested that Manchester City had benefited from an enforced rest due to a coronavirus outbreak at the club in December.
City sit top of the Premier League ahead of Sunday's trip to Anfield, seven points better off than fourth-placed Liverpool.
City's Premier League trip to Everton was initially scheduled for December 28 but was postponed after a number of positive Covid-19 cases identified within the squad.
As a result, Guardiola's side did not play for a week between their 2-0 Boxing Day win over Newcastle United and a 3-1 victory over Chelsea on January 3 - which they played without eight first-team players.
Klopp blamed a lack of physical and mental freshness for the Reds' 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Wednesday, which stretched their winless run at home to four games.
"We haven't had a break," Klopp said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. "I think City had a two-week break for Covid reasons. It's really tough. It's a tough season for many teams."
"Jurgen has to see the calendar again," said an irked Guardiola. "We had Covid, one week off, and played with 14 players in Stamford Bridge,"
"When I see Jurgen, maybe I will ask. I'm surprised. I thought Jurgen wasn't that type of manager."
Despite growing animosity between the clubs as the two dominant forces in English football for the past four seasons, Klopp and Guardiola have maintained an amicable relationship.
"He knows it's not true, come on," added Guardiola. "Nobody in the Premier League had two weeks off. I thought he is not that type of guy."
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Liverpool v Brighton ratings
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On the field, Guardiola is aiming to register his first victory as a coach at Anfield, and City's first victory away to Liverpool since 2003.
Liverpool's fortress has been breached in recent weeks, with the champions suffering back-to-back defeats against Burnley and Brighton after a 68-game unbeaten run at home in the league.
City are on a club record 13-game winning run in all competitions but Guardiola still expects Liverpool to be one of his side's main challengers for the title.
"Always it is difficult against Liverpool," he said. "Top club, top history, top players, top manager.
"We have not had exceptional results there, but we made good performances. We go to try to win the game, not to draw, knowing their quality and the team they have. No more than that."
Liverpool could be boosted by the return to fitness of Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Sadio Mane, all of whom missed the Brighton clash.
Centre-backs Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak could also make their debuts after joining on transfer deadline day on Monday.
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Burnley v Manchester City ratings
