Arne Slot has revealed he does not "look up" to Pep Guardiola despite describing the Manchester City manager as the best in the world, as Liverpool prepare to face the champions with an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
The Liverpool boss made the admission in a briefing with Sunday newspapers ahead of Sunday's clash at Anfield. Asked about Guardiola, Slot told TV cameras that the Catalan was "one of the best in the world - and in my opinion THE best." However, in a separate briefing, he said: "I don't look up to Pep. That's not the words I would want to use."
Slot's comments come after a week in which City's 3-0 lead over Feyenoord evaporated in the final 14 minutes, extending their winless run to five defeats and a draw. The Dutchman, who previously managed Feyenoord, said he contacted his former club to congratulate them but not for tactical advice.
Anfield has historically been a difficult ground for City, who have won only three times at Liverpool since 1956. Guardiola's sole victory there came in an empty stadium during the pandemic, a 4-1 win in 2021. Slot noted that Liverpool's only league title in 30 years – in 2020 – also came without supporters, adding that statistics mean little given Liverpool's own poor recent record against City, having won only once in their last nine or ten meetings.
Slot insisted he is not concerned about City's form, attributing their struggles to a lack of luck. He recalled his own run of four draws at AZ Alkmaar but stressed that the Premier League and Champions League present greater challenges than the Eredivisie. "If you look at how they play, I would not be concerned at all," he said.
