Pep Guardiola expects Liverpool to challenge Manchester City for the title next season.

City swept all before them on their way to a record-breaking title win this term, scoring more goals, gaining more wins and earning more points than anyone before them in Premier League history.

Guardiola's side will finish at least 22 points ahead of Liverpool after Sunday's final day. However, Jurgen Klopp's men won three of the four meetings with the champions, beating them twice to knock them out of the Champions League as well as ending their unbeaten run domestically back in January.

The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total Show all 21 1 / 21 The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total Which historic Premier League teams come closest to this Manchester City side? Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 20. Chelsea, 2007-08 Points: 85

Goal difference: +39

Position: 2nd Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 19. Manchester United, 2009-10 Points: 85

Goal difference: +58

Position: 2nd Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 18. Liverpool, 2008-09 Points: 86

Goal difference: +50

Position: 2nd Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 17. Tottenham Hotspur, 2016-17 Points: 86

Goal difference: +60

Position: 2nd Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 16. Manchester City, 2013-14 Points: 86

Goal difference: +65

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 15. Chelsea, 2009-10 Points: 86

Goal difference: +71

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 14. Chelsea, 2014-15 Points: 87

Goal difference: +41

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 13. Arsenal, 2001-02 Points: 87

Goal difference: +43

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 12. Manchester United, 2007-08 Points: 87

Goal difference: +58

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 11. Manchester United, 2012-13 Points: 89

Goal difference: +43

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 10. Manchester United, 2006-07 Points: 89

Goal difference: +56

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 9. Manchester United, 2011-12 Points: 89

Goal difference: +56

Position: 2nd Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 8. Manchester City, 2011-12 Points: 89

Goal difference: +64

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 7. Manchester United, 2008-09 Points: 90

Goal difference: +44

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 6. Arsenal, 2003-04 Points: 90

Goal difference: +47

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 5. Chelsea 2005-06 Points: 91

Goal difference: +50

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 4. Manchester United, 1999-00 Points: 91

Goal difference: +52

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 3. Chelsea, 2016-17 Points: 93

Goal difference: +52

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 2. Chelsea, 2004-05 Points: 95

Goal difference: +57

Position: 1st Getty The 20 best Premier League teams ever, by points total 1. Manchester City, 2017-18 Points: 100

Goal difference: +79

Position: 1st Getty

The Spaniard has often spoke of his admiration for the way Klopp’s team play and fully expects them to be right in the mix for the biggest prizes again next year alongside a number of other contenders.

"[Liverpool] were a big contender and next season will be, but I will not say just Liverpool," he said ahead of the trip to Southampton. "The way they play, the quality of their people, not just in front. [Virgil] van Dijk helped a lot to be more consistent in defensive department, especially in the box.

"The quality in front, the quality in the way they play. Jürgen is a top manager. He's an excellent manager creating not just offensive style, and always thinking about the spectators, always positive going there and creating good environments in the clubs.

"I admire him because, for example, [Ilkay] Gündogan was with him at Bayern Munich and [Robert] Lewandowski was with him, and every player speaks so well about him, as a manager, as a human being. This season, OK we are 25 points in front? It is difficult to say it was difficult but it was, because they beat us and next season it will be too.

"But the same like United will be, the same like Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, with new managers, new training sessions, new ways to play, everybody's going to move. Next season will be OK, like every season is. People say: 'No, this season was different.' No, no. It was tough - it was good because we were so, so good - but of course the opponents will be there again."

Liverpool beat City in three of the four meetings this season ( AFP )

Between them City and Liverpool have scored more goals than anyone else - a staggering 185 - and Guardiola admits he sees a lot of his own side in Klopp's rampant Reds.

"I think both teams want to attack, Tottenham as well. It doesn't matter what happens, they want to try, want to attack," he added. "But I think the way they attack and defend is a little bit different. They play more 'here'.

PFA Premier League Team of the Year Show all 12 1 / 12 PFA Premier League Team of the Year PFA Premier League Team of the Year PFA Premier League Team of the Year The Professional Footballers' Association's Premier League Team of the Year has been announced AFP PFA Premier League Team of the Year David De Gea (Manchester United) The Spaniard has been rewarded for yet another outstanding campaign between the sticks for United Getty PFA Premier League Team of the Year Kyle Walker (Manchester City) The former Tottenham right-back earns a spot for his stellar contribution to City's title-winning campaign Getty PFA Premier League Team of the Year Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur) The Tottenham centre-back has shown his quality in the absence of club and country teammate Toby Alderweireld Getty Images PFA Premier League Team of the Year Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City) Otamendi has impressed at the heart of City's defence, one of five title-winners included in this year's team Getty PFA Premier League Team of the Year Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) Chelsea's sole representative Alonso is selected after another strong season Getty PFA Premier League Team of the Year Christian Eriksen (Tottenham) The outstanding Dane has taken his game up a notch again as he joins Spurs teammate Vertonghen in the XI AFP PFA Premier League Team of the Year David Silva (Manchester City) The Spaniard has been sensational at the heart of City's midfield creating and scoring goals on a relentlessly consistent basis throughout the year Getty PFA Premier League Team of the Year Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) City's standout player, De Bruyne has elevated his already abundant talent to new heights under Pep Guardiola's expert tutelage Getty PFA Premier League Team of the Year Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) Returning to the Premier League with questions over whether he could cut it in English football the Egyptian has answered every last one in emphatic style with a goal-filled, record-breaking debut campaign with Liverpool Getty Images PFA Premier League Team of the Year Harry Kane (Tottenham) Tottenham's talisman has been at his consistent and clinical best once again Getty PFA Premier League Team of the Year Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) For the first time in his seven seasons in the English game the Argentine is included after yet another free-scoring season for City AFP/Getty Images

"Sometimes we look for more sides, they are more direct - the wingers, Mané, Salah, Firmino, they play more together. They attack more in front. But I think the idea is quite similar in terms of they want to try win the game for themselves and they don't wait for what will happen.