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Pep Guardiola counts winning the Premier League as the benchmark of true class – and compared winning the Champions League to the lucky spin of a roulette wheel.

But as the City boss prepares to face European champions Liverpool in the Community Shield at Wembley today, Guardiola insists that lifting the Premier League for a third successive season is his No.1 priority.

But he believes Manchester City must win the Champions League to get the recognition they deserve.

Guardiola said: “Of course we have to win in Europe because it’s an important tournament and difficult to win.

“But I am not going to go to the casino and gamble everything I have in my pocket on just seven games.

(Image: Eamonn and James Clarke)

“I want to be happy for 11 months – and winning the Premier League makes me happy.

“Why am I going to wait until February for seven games and put everything on black?

“From my point of view, that’s too risky. To maintain the health and focus of the team, it always has to be the Premier League.

“The Premier League is always the most important thing, the stand-out competition, because it is every weekend.

“I think we will be closer to achieving in Europe when we have more Premier League titles. That is the right process at Manchester City.”

City edged out Jurgen Klopp’s men by a point in the most compelling title race in Premier League history.

(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

They also lifted the FA Cup and Carabao Cup to become the first English club to complete a domestic treble after kicking off the campaign by winning the Community Shield.

But Liverpool are the kings of Europe.

And while three of Klopp’s men – Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane – are on a 10-man shortlist for the Best FIFA Football Awards not one City player has made the cut.

It’s a lack of respect that rankles with Guardiola.

(Image: Eamonn and James Clarke)

But the City boss insists he would not swap what his team achieved last season for Liverpool’s sixth European success.

He said: “Of course we would like to win the Champions League - so big respect to Liverpool.

“But is why is that a higher (achievement) than what we did in 11 months?

“I am pretty sure Liverpool would have liked to have won the Premier League, because it is 29 years since they last did.

“It’s incredibly good what they did in the Champions League, but we were better in the league.

“What we did has never been achieved before. It was awesome – and I think my colleagues and football players worldwide know how difficult it is.

(Image: Eamonn and James Clarke)

“It was the first time in history that a team has won four titles in one season.

“Offer me the same again – even if it meant not winning the Champions League – and I would sign up for it right now.”

Guardiola added: “It doesn’t matter if the people who consider the UEFA awards or FIFA awards don’t select one of our players.

“But I don’t think one player had a better season that Bernardo Silva, for example, who also won the Nations League with Portugal.

“And the year we won the title with 100 points, there was huge respect for Mohamed Salah – but come on, guys!

(Image: Eamonn and James Clarke)

“Kevin De Bruyne, that season, was above and beyond any normal situation.

“Of course, it is about opinions – and of course we accept it if our players don’t deserve to win.

“Maybe we have to win five titles - or maybe Bernardo has to win six

“Or maybe we have to get 250 points next season – but we are going to try.”