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Pep Guardiola has hit out at 'false' comments from Jurgen Klopp in the first war of words ahead of the Premier League season.

The Man City manager admitted he was "bothered" by Klopp's assertions on their rivals spending power, and claimed Liverpool were no better.

Guardiola said: "Of course it bothers me, because it’s not true that we spend £200m every transfer market.

“That is not true. So it’s Liverpool, you’ll never walk alone, so it’s not a small team. It’s Liverpool. So of course I don’t like it, because it’s not true.

“Last season we spent £17m (net spend) on one player.

(Image: Getty Images)

“Two seasons ago if we spent a lot it’s because I took over the team and we had 10 or 11 players over 30 years old so we had to do it.

“But we cannot spend £200m every season. For example last season Liverpool spent more than £200m last season, and cannot do it this season, but it’s the same.

“We bought one player this season and Angelino, who we made a payback clause and came back with us and that’s a reality."

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Klopp has previously stated that his side could not compete with some of the other clubs in Europe's elite when it comes to squad investments.

The Reds boss said: "We are not in this fantasy land where you just get whatever you want. It looks like there are four clubs in the world who can do it constantly.

"Madrid, Barcelona , City and PSG. Whatever they need, they do. You cannot compare that. That is the situation."

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Last summer Liverpool spent over £180m on new signings, including a then world-record fee for a goalkeeper when they acquired Alisson Becker from Roma.

The spree followed the club smashing their own transfer record just months previously when they landed Virgil van Dijk for £75m - although much of the spending across both windows was offset by the sale of Philippe Coutinho.

By contrast City only had one notable new arrival in Riyad Mahrez, who joined in a £60m deal from Leicester .

The previous summer saw City spend over £200m, largely on defenders, while Liverpool invested £80 m.

(Image: Manchester City FC via Getty Ima)

So far this transfer window Liverpool have only shelled out nominal fees for youth players, while City have brought in midfielder Rodri from Atletico Madrid for £62m as well as Angelino for around £5m.

City's chief operating officer Omar Berrada had previously weighed into the debate, saying: "I don’t know why they would make these comments. I don’t know why they would look at other clubs.

"It’s not frustration or anger, we just find it curious that they’d be highlighting our spending.

"We’re fine with their spending. The reality is that all the top clubs invest as they see fit.

"Saying us, PSG, Real Madrid and Barcelona always invest £200million is not correct."