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Pep Guardiola issued a defiant response when asked whether Liverpool fans envy Manchester City's Premier League title triumph - by declaring it means more than success in Europe.

Last season saw one of the best title races in recent memory as the Reds went toe-to-toe with the defending champions.

City ultimately proved too strong for Jurgen Klopp's side, clawing back a seven-point deficit to go 14 games unbeaten and win the title on the final day of the season.

The Reds have been chasing their first Premier League title since it's inauguration in 1992, and missed out by just a solitary point.

When quizzed whether City were now the envy of their Merseyside rivals, Guardiola told Spanish publication Ara, via MEN : “To win the league in England is very hard.

(Image: REUTERS)

“The test is that it is the first time in 11 years that a team has repeated a league win, which Barça has done many times.

“By contrast, Liverpool have not won the league for 30 years, and we all saw what Liverpool are this year.”

City added to their feat by completing the domestic treble, having already collected the Carabao Cup before an emphatic 6-0 FA Cup final win over Watford .

Meanwhile Liverpool ended the campaign by beating Tottenham to become European Champions for a sixth time - a trophy Man City are yet to win.

(Image: Man City via Getty Images)

But Guardiola was adamant that the domestic title takes higher importance.

“Winning is very addictive and gives you energy. This gives you the league, no more competition," he added.

“That's why when they tell me ‘But he has not won the Champions League’, I answer that I would like to clarify that I would like the Champions League, but the league is what makes the players follow you, because every three days you win.

(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“Instead, when you lose, players stop believing in you. The league puts you in place.

“That is why I have had it, from managing the ( Barcelona ) B team, as the absolute priority.

“I can not leave everything at random from a less controllable competition such as the Champions League or the cups, as they are in England.”