Pep on Haaland fitness, City’s 115 charges and Klopp rivalry

Guardiola is hopeful Erling Haaland will be available: “He trained yesterday with some niggles, today we train and hope he can be part of it.”

His view has not changed on Manchester City’s 115 Premier League charges for breaching financial rules after Everton were deducted 10 points last week: “Why should I not believe? What’s changed? I know when people are saying, ‘Okay, City – why don’t they go to the Conference?’ Wait. Wait. What’s going to happen is going to happen.”

On if there was a punishment so great he would leave: “You are questioning like we have been punished. And in the moment we are innocent. But absolutely I will not consider my future (if) it depends being here or being in League One. There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we win the Champions League.”

He does not believe emotion is a key factor in tomorrow’s game: “It’s not about balancing [the emotions]. It’s how many players are available, what we need to beat them and trying to impose our game, knowing how difficult it is.”

He knew it was going to be a competitive season: “Of course, we have already played 11 tough games. We could not have expected to be in this position [at the top], but with four or five teams, it is so tight.”

On his rivalry with Jurgen Klopp: “He made me a better manager through his teams. They [Liverpool] are a fantastic team – a top side, no doubt.”

He respects the rivalry City have cultivated with Liverpool over recent seasons: “I think we are old friends and know each other quite well.”