Pep Guardiola believes Erling Haaland is a match for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as a pure goalscorer after the striker netted his 44th goal of the season on Saturday.

Haaland scored twice as Manchester City won 4-1 away at Southampton to move them within five points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, who play Liverpool later in the weekend.

The striker's second, a brilliant acrobatic volley, took him to 44 goals in all competitions in his first season in England, now tied for the most ever by a Premier League player in a single campaign alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy (2002-03) and Mohamed Salah (2017-18).

Of those goals, 30 have come in the league, and Guardiola was full of praise for Haaland after the win, comparing his prolific talisman to two of football's greats.

"The second goal was amazing," Guardiola told BBC's Match of the Day. "It is not easy to pick the ball up in the sky and put it on the grass.

"His talent is really good. We need him. The first half was not our best level, but he changed the game.

"As a top scorer, we lived two incredible decades with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but he is on that level. He scores a lot of goals."

Southampton, the Premier League's bottom side, largely kept City at bay in the first half until a crashing header from Haaland put the reigning champions ahead in the 45th minute.

Guardiola acknowledged Saints' stubborn display in the opening period, saying: "I give a lot of credit to Southampton. Their game plan was really, really good.

"Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition when you're not at your level. We were fortunate to be ahead at half-time.

"We had more physicality in the second half. We found the second goal after we won a duel, and after it was easy."

City's win puts the pressure back on an Arsenal side heading to an unhappy hunting ground in Anfield, having not picked up three points there since the 2012-13 campaign, when now-manager Mikel Arteta was starting in midfield for the Gunners.

Guardiola would prefer to be in their place, though, in terms of the Premier League title race, saying: "I would like to be in the position Arsenal are in. I would love that. It is what it is."

Manchester City moved back to five points behind leaders Arsenal as Erling Haaland's double helped them to a 4-1 Premier League victory against rock-bottom Southampton at St Mary's.

Pep Guardiola's team were shocked 2-0 by Saints when they met in the EFL Cup quarter-finals in January, but there was never a sign of a repeat on Saturday as the visitors dominated.

Haaland gave them the lead with a powerful header as Kevin De Bruyne reached 100 Premier League assists for his career, before Grealish doubled the lead with an alert finish not long into the second half.

Haaland scored his 30th Premier League goal of the season before Julian Alvarez converted a penalty as City cruised to a fifth successive league win. Sekou Mara scored a Saints consolation with a fine finish.

City carved open the hosts within five minutes, a sweeping move ending with Gavin Bazunu making a good stop to deny Grealish.

Haaland went close to putting the visitors in front when he headed just wide, but he would not miss the target a second time.

De Bruyne's delightful cross picked out the former Borussia Dortmund striker, who crashed a header past Bazunu and into the back of the net to give City the lead in the 45th minute.

Grealish made it 2-0 shortly after the interval, Bazunu making a good stop from his initial effort before the winger coolly buried his rebound.

Haaland added his second and City's third with a spectacular bicycle kick, lashing home from Grealish's teasing delivery.

Mara pulled a goal back when he rifled into the bottom-left corner, but Alvarez rounded off the scoring from the spot in the 75th minute when he slotted home after Kyle Walker-Peters felled De Bruyne.

Pep Guardiola believes there is still more to come from in-form winger Jack Grealish, who now feels he belongs at Manchester City after taking a season to settle in.

Grealish initially struggled for consistency after making a club-record £100million move from Aston Villa in 2021, but the England man has been excellent for City in recent weeks.

Grealish has already bettered his total of six Premier League goal involvements from last season, contributing to nine goals this term (four goals, five assists) – eight of those coming since the World Cup.

Kevin De Bruyne (20) is now the only City player to have assisted more goals than Grealish's eight across all competitions this season, and he both scored and assisted in last week's 4-1 thrashing of Liverpool.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Guardiola said of Grealish: "He's playing really good this season. But at the same time, like he knows, we want more. You always have the chance to get better and better."

Asked what had changed for the 27-year-old this term, the City boss added: "I think he believes in where he belongs. 

"Now he believes he is part of it. Maybe when he arrived, he thought: 'I'm not good enough after the team won the Premier League'.

"Sometimes players adapt immediately, sometimes they need more time. 

"We knew Jack didn't come here for just one season, he's here for a long time. He's an important player for us."

Kyle Walker's future at Manchester City could be in doubt after Pep Guardiola said he "cannot" play the way he wants his full-backs to play.

The 32-year-old has only started two of City's past seven games, with John Stones preferred at right-back.

Guardiola favours a system that sees his full-backs inverted, often coming inside to join the midfield as Stones did to good effect in last week's win over Liverpool.

Speaking ahead of City's Premier League trip to Southampton, the Catalan coach did not sugarcoat the reason why he has left Walker out in recent games.

"[Walker] cannot do it. To play inside, you have to make some educated movements," Guardiola said.

"He has other characteristics. He will always have pace. He will be the fastest in this room at 60 years old."

The City manager added: "The reason why is tactical. It's not because we lost faith in Kyle.

"He can play coming inside, and he has done it many times, but like in the position [against] Liverpool with Rodri and John, he will maybe need time to do it, and we don't have time."

While City have never shied away from moving on players who Guardiola feels no longer suit his team, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss did offer Walker the chance to adapt to try to force his way back into contention.

"What they have to do is two things," he said. "Don't complain or there will be a problem. And try to do it better and better, so when I need them, they will be ready.

"Look at Nathan [Ake] this season. Last season, he didn't play one minute, and now he is undroppable. It happens.

"Nobody has a guarantee with me. They have to earn it, and sometimes we need a different shape for the way we build up or defend. Some players adapt better than the other ones.

"They take it personally, but we are not against them. We just need something and try to use it."

Pep Guardiola has confirmed Erling Haaland will be fit to return for Manchester City at Southampton on Saturday.

The prolific striker missed a 4-1 Premier League thrashing of Liverpool last weekend due to a groin injury but was back in training this week.

City boss Guardiola on Friday revealed Haaland, who has scored a staggering 42 goals in his first season at the club, will be available to lead the line when second-placed City face bottom-of-the-table Saints at St Mary's.

The Catalan said: "He's been training really good the past two days; he will be ready."

City have won seven games in a row in all competitions and can reduce Arsenal's lead at the top of the league table to five points with another victory on the south coast, with the Gunners taking on Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

The champions have scored 17 goals in their past three games as they challenge for more trophies.

Southampton beat City 2-0 at home in the EFL Cup three months ago, though, and Guardiola expects another tough battle.

"The patterns are quite clear," he said. "Every team is playing for something: a fight for the Premier League and a fight to be in the Premier League.

"Every game has its own characteristic, and you have to be ready. Southampton have always been so tough there. The game we made it to 100 points [in 2018] they were much better than us; we've drawn before.

"It's tough, and I have a feeling tomorrow won't be an exception."

Meanwhile, Guardiola does not believe playing before Arsenal is an advantage for his side.

Asked if that might benefit City, he said: "I don't think so. When we had a title race with Liverpool, we sometimes played before, sometimes later. We have to win our games."

Pep Guardiola hailed Manchester City's 4-1 Premier League victory against Liverpool as one of the best in his time at the club. 

City thrashed Liverpool on Saturday to, at least temporarily, close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points.

Having gone down to an early Mohamed Salah finish, City – shorn of Erling Haaland – levelled before half-time when Julian Alvarez converted Jack Grealish's cross to complete a flowing move. 

City completed the comeback in emphatic style with a commanding second-half performance – goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Grealish wrapping up a memorable day at the Etihad Stadium and leaving Guardiola to revel in his side's performance. 

"From minute one to minute 93, it was a perfect performance," Guardiola told BT Sport.  

"Even when we conceded the goal we were playing really well. Of course, there is always a threat they have especially on the transition, but we played really good – one of the best performances in my seven years.

"Even after the goal, we continued with our idea that we had because players know that we weren't playing badly. We stayed in control and continued to keep playing and had a little word at half-time about our process. 

"Of course and we were lucky to score the second goal but the game was always stable through 93 minutes."

City’s win was headlined by a superb display by Grealish, who scored one and set up another. 

"This season is the Jack we knew could help us," Guardiola said of Grealish.

"He tracked back at 1-0 to help us when Salah had the chance to lay off but with the ball, he and Riyad [Mahrez] were exceptional. I can't name one better than the other - they were all exceptional."

An injury to Haaland meant City's top goalscorer was forced to watch from the stands with Alvarez deputising superbly in his absence.

"Not just the goal but the play with the second and the third. With the ball, he is so clever and an exceptional player," Guardiola said. 

"I think the club made an incredible signing for the price. He's playing in the World Cup champions for Argentina alongside Messi for a reason because he has something."

Pep Guardiola "would love to be in the position" of Arsenal in the Premier League title race, saying Manchester City's "experience counts for nothing" as they look to catch the Gunners.

City have won the Premier League in four of the last five seasons, but Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side have enjoyed a brilliant campaign to give them a great chance of winning their first league title since the 2003-04 'Invincibles' side.

The Citizens are playing catch-up with the Gunners holding an eight-point lead at the summit, and though City have a game in hand, Guardiola acknowledged his side's vast experience of winning titles may not be enough to overhaul the deficit.

"I would love to be in the position of Arsenal," Guardiola told reporters. "I'd prefer to be Arsenal in the Premier League than the position we have.

"Eight points is a real advantage. Experience counts for nothing. They will not drop many points.

"You have to prove it every day. The past is the past. [The] reality is people tomorrow don't think about what you've done in the past. You have to show it again and again otherwise you have to retire."

City return from the international break when they host Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, with the Reds sitting sixth after running Guardiola's men to within a point of the title last season.

Asked whether a collapse similar to the one Liverpool have suffered could have happened to City if he had left the Etihad, Guardiola insisted a drop-off of that magnitude could happen to any club.

"I never think this won't happen," Guardiola said. "Teams win the Premier League, year after they drop off. [It] can happen to anyone, Liverpool, Chelsea.

"[You are] always going to try to find a solution to avoid it. If you don't do well it can happen.

"What happened with Liverpool can happen, I don't know why it has not happened to us. 

"All I know is what you did yesterday doesn't count for tomorrow."

Guardiola feels the pressure is only ever a couple of defeats away, explaining: "I've lived a fairytale history here in Manchester. We have won a lot and that's why the storm is less. [But the] moment we will lose, the storm will come.

"When you win it's safe, comfortable. When you lose, you have to find the solution, have to figure out why you are not consistent.

"When we didn't win one, two, three games it's normal. You can lose, figure out why it happened. [You cannot] always expect to win all the games for 10 years, it's not the reality."

Liverpool may be no threat to Manchester City in the title race this season, but they could derail the champions' hopes of a treble in Saturday's match at the Etihad Stadium.

That is the fear of Pep Guardiola, who still thinks highly of a Reds side struggling for consistency this season.

City need to win to at least temporarily close the gap to leaders Arsenal, while Liverpool are on the outside of the Champions League chase looking in.

That idea would have been alien to these two teams last year as they went toe-to-toe for the title, and memories of previous mammoth clashes are fresh in Guardiola's mind.

The City boss, who said his "opinion doesn't change for one season of ups and downs", explained: "For one game, absolutely, they can beat everyone, like we can beat everyone. One game is one game."

As City can focus on Arsenal alone in the league, Liverpool's situation is rather more complicated.

They are seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with two games in hand but also five shy of Newcastle United, who have played the same number of games in fifth.

Liverpool follow a trip to City by facing Chelsea and Arsenal next week.

"It's a super important game," said Jurgen Klopp. "That's the one thing not different to all the other years.

"We know it's a massive game, a massive week coming up. For tomorrow, they deserve all the attention – we can't think about the other games.

"It is like a Champions League week. I'm super excited."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Manchester City – Kevin De Bruyne

While Haaland was out of action in the international break, De Bruyne was on top form for Belgium, putting Germany to the sword earlier this week with a goal and two assists. He will have a key role to play against City, who have played more through balls than any other team (64), while Liverpool are joint-fourth for the most through balls played against them (48). De Bruyne leads all players with 21 through balls.

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah

Salah loves playing against City, only scoring more than his 10 goals in these matches when facing Manchester United (12). Indeed, he has already netted in three separate matches against Guardiola's side this season, on target in each of their meetings in the Premier League, Community Shield and EFL Cup. Ian Rush was the last last Liverpool player to score in four different games against an opponent in the same campaign, netting in five clashes with Everton in 1986-87.

MATCH PREDICTION – MAN CITY WIN

Liverpool are hoping to do the league double over City for just the second time in the past 17 seasons, but that previous home-and-away success in 2015-16 included their sole victory at the Etihad Stadium in their most recent 13 league visits.

This is not a season in which they appear likely to buck a trend away from home, having earned just 12 points from 13 games on the road. Having earned 30 points at Anfield, theirs is the biggest difference between home and away points in the division.

The Reds have also failed to score in six of those away games, their most across a whole league season since eight in 2011-12, and another blank would leave them at risk of a third straight defeat without scoring in all competitions for the first time since October 2009.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Man City - 50.8 per cent

Liverpool - 22.8 per cent

Draw - 26.4 per cent

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists his opinion of Liverpool has not been altered by their below-par season in 2022-23.

Liverpool visit Guardiola's City on Saturday with their campaign all but over.

The Reds have long since been out of the Premier League title race and have a big task ahead of them just to finish in the top four.

They did not win the EFL Cup and are out of the FA Cup and the Champions League.

It is a far cry from last year, when Liverpool pushed City to the last day in the league, bidding for an unprecedented quadruple before falling just short and finishing with just the two domestic trophies.

City are fighting Arsenal for the title this season, but Guardiola expects Liverpool to be back, even if he has no explanation for their lack of consistency.

"They remain an exceptional team," said the City manager. "My opinion doesn't change for one season of ups and downs. Every club can have a season of ups and downs.

"Now, the biggest rival is a different one this season. But with what happened in the past and in the future, they could be a big rival.

"For one game, absolutely, they can beat everyone, like we can beat everyone. One game is one game.

"It's about being consistent, and always Liverpool have been. This season... I don't know why [they have not been], because I'm not there, and honestly I don't care. I don't know the reason why, so you'll have to ask my colleague."

If Liverpool's season has been one of "ups and downs", City's could yet end on a remarkable high.

Second in the Premier League and into the FA Cup semi-finals and Champions League quarter-finals, they remain in contention for the treble.

But Guardiola continues to take one game at a time, explaining: "It's the best approach we can have. It can be boring, maybe it would be better if I said the opposite, but the reality is it's [about] the next game. Otherwise it cannot happen.

"I've said many times: just one team in the history of the Premier League won the treble – the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup – because it's so difficult. That's why we should not think about these kind of things.

"We have this game, then we have a long week and after a tough, tough schedule with many games. The most important thing is that we are still fighting.

"We are in all competitions. That is awesome, that is so good."

Erling Haaland is still recovering from his groin injury, with Pep Guardiola saying a final decision on his fitness for this weekend would be made later on Friday.

Haaland has enjoyed an astonishing first season at Manchester City, scoring 42 goals in all competitions – comfortably the most of any player in Europe's top five leagues.

But his momentum was checked heading into the international break by an injury that kept the forward from linking up with Norway.

City have a huge game against Liverpool on Saturday and are hopeful Haaland will be back, although Guardiola was eager to take his time with that call.

"Erling is recovering," the manager said. "We have the last training session and we will see how he feels."

Guardiola, who added Phil Foden would be out for "two or three weeks" following appendix surgery, was asked if he would risk Haaland if he was not convinced he was fully fit.

The City boss was happy to trust the 22-year-old's judgement, but he is also confident his side would cope without their superstar striker.

In the Premier League, Haaland has scored 28 goals, making up 42 per cent of City's total this term and earning 20 points. All three are high marks for a City player in a single season.

"The doctors and especially the players will decide," Guardiola said. "How does he feel? Yesterday I spoke with him and he feels good. But we will see, we will see what happens.

"We have scored a lot of goals this season, and he's scored an incredible amount of goals, but in the past we also scored a lot of goals.

"Since we were here, and with Roberto Mancini and [Manuel] Pellegrini, always Man City was a team that scored a lot of goals in the season – with different players, different strikers.

"They scored a lot of goals, which is what we will try to do until the end of the season."

City have scored the second-most goals across Europe in all competitions this season, with their 109 trailing Bayern Munich's 112. They are the only two teams to reach three figures.

Real Madrid need a transition plan as captain Karim Benzema heads towards his late thirties, and that could lead them to making a summer swoop for a new forward.

There has been plenty of speculation about Mohamed Salah's future with Liverpool over the past few months, even with the 30-year-old Egyptian being contracted to the Reds until 2025.

Rumours have continued to emerge about a possible move, but Madrid also reportedly have their eye on Victor Osimhen, Harry Kane and Rasmus Hojlund as they consider various options.

TOP STORY – REAL MADRID WANT A NEW STRIKER

Real Madrid might see Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah as an option for an off-season transfer, claims Defensa Central.

The report claims Los Blancos could consider Salah while they also look at other possible acquisitions, including Napoli's Serie A top scorer Victor Osimhen and Tottenham's ever-prolific Harry Kane.

Karim Benzema turns 36 later this year, and Madrid will need other proven frontline options for when the Frenchman steps away from the spotlight.

Rasmus Hojlund, who has settled in well at Atalanta this season, is also said to be admired at Madrid, no doubt helped by him scoring five goals in his first two starts for Denmark during the recent international break.

ROUND-UP

– The Guardian claims Mason Mount is open to a move to German champions Bayern Munich amid swirling rumours about their new boss Thomas Tuchel's interest in a reunion. Mount and Chelsea have reportedly reached a stalemate in their discussions on a new contract. Tuchel left Chelsea in September.

– Manchester City have identified Borussia Dortmund's Youssoufa Moukoko as a target, reports Football Transfers. The report claims City are fearing Erling Haaland's exit but could use any incoming funds to facilitate a move for the Dortmund forward.

– David de Gea has rejected Manchester United's initial new contract offer which he believes is not adequate, according to The Athletic. The 32-year-old Spanish goalkeeper is out of contract at the end of this season, with United proposing a pay cut in his new deal. The report states an agreement on new terms is expected to be reached.

– Bayern are not interested in either of West Ham's Declan Rice or Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic, reports Sky Sport Germany's Florian Plettenberg.

Chelsea have underwhelmed this season and may look to offload players to ensure they meet financial fair play requirements, but could Reece James really leave Stamford Bridge?

The Blues have spent big money over the past 10 months since Todd Boehly took over ownership from Roman Abramovich.

Enzo Fernandez, Wesley Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling, Benoit Badiashile, Kalidou Koulibaly, Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto were all signed in lucrative moves.

TOP STORY – MADRID CONSIDER SHOCK MOVE FOR CHELSEA'S JAMES

Real Madrid are plotting a shock swoop to sign Chelsea full-back Reece James as the Blues plan a clean-out, claims AS.

James, 23, is contracted with the Blues until 2028, making any deal complicated, but Los Blancos are reportedly hoping Chelsea's need to balance the books can work in their favour.

Madrid previously landed Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard from Chelsea, albeit in different circumstances with both only having shorter terms remaining on their contracts.

AS claims Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham remains Real's priority signing.

ROUND-UP

– The Evening Standard claims Arsenal are making West Ham midfielder Declan Rice a transfer priority, amid plenty of interest from Premier League clubs. Rice is expected to leave the Hammers at the end of this season, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United also reportedly in the hunt.

– Manchester United are keeping an eye on Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani and Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund should their advances for Tottenham's Harry Kane fail, claims the Manchester Evening News.

– Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat is eager for a move to Barcelona, claims Footmercato. The Blaugrana had interest in the Moroccan during the last transfer window.

– Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have lodged initial bids for 16-year-old Hajduk Split defender Luka Vuskovic, according to 90min.

– Footmercato reports Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is set to sign a new five-year contract with Napoli, having been linked with PSG recently.

– El Chiringuito claims Manchester City are eyeing a move for ex-Spain boss Luis Enrique amid talk Pep Guardiola could opt for a sabbatical at the end of the season.

Jack Grealish was "buzzing" when Gareth Southgate decided to remain as England manager after the World Cup, and believes that call will reap rewards at next year's Euros.

England start their qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 on Thursday when they face Italy, who beat the Three Lions in the Euro 2020 final, before hosting Ukraine three days later.

It will be England's first encounter since their World Cup quarter-final defeat to France in December.

Southgate was considering his future ahead of England's campaign in Qatar, but elected to stay on, sticking with a contract that expires next year.

The decision proved to be a popular one among the England squad, with many of the players having been given their debut by Southgate, who has been in charge since 2016.

"I was buzzing," Grealish told reporters. "Gareth called me up to my first squad, he gave me my debut and he has given me chances to play for my country – it's the best thing that can happen to you as a player.

"Go and ask anyone in that changing room what they think of Gareth and they would all say the same. He is a brilliant manager and a brilliant person as well.

"I can't speak highly enough of him for what he has done for me."

Euro 2024, hosted by Germany, will be Southgate's fourth major tournament as England manager and Grealish thinks that experience will help the Three Lions go all the way after their heartbreak in 2021.

"We have come close so many times," said the Manchester City star. "The last three tournaments have been a semi-final, a final and then the quarters.

"I think it is obvious what we want to do and I think we are getting better and better. Players are coming through and playing with so much confidence.

"I feel like the next one really could be our one. Everyone will be in their prime. I actually feel old at the moment but when I think about it, I will only be 28 at the Euros.

"It's no secret that we all want to win a tournament – and I do think it is there to be done."

After impressing at the delayed Euro 2020, Grealish became the most expensive English player when he joined City from boyhood club Aston Villa for £100million.

Having struggled to hit his best form during his debut season, his sophomore year has seen much improvement. Grealish has scored three goals, set up a further seven and created 61 chances for team-mates from 36 appearances, 28 of which have been starts.

He added: "I feel I am in the best form since I moved to City. I feel a bit like I did when I was at Aston Villa.

"I feel like one of the main players and it is the fittest I've been. That comes down to playing a lot of games on the bounce and playing in big games and making an impact, like scoring against Arsenal and [Manchester] United and getting assists at Chelsea away and Arsenal in the cup.

"I'm really confident at the moment. [Pep Guardiola] is trusting me in big games and I do feel I have repaid him, played my part, done well."

Pep Guardiola joked he took Erling Haaland off against Burnley to preserve a Lionel Messi record.

The Norway international scored his sixth hat-trick of the season in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Etihad Stadium, four days after his five-goal haul in the Champions League demolition of RB Leipzig.

Manchester City boss Guardiola was criticised by some after substituting Haaland in that match, denying the striker the chance to break the record for the most goals scored in a Champions League clash.

Haaland now shares that record with Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi, and Guardiola could not resist a quip when facing the media after the 6-0 win against Burnley.

"I didn't want him to break the record for Messi. I try to punish my players – it is my intention!" he joked.

On a more serious note, Guardiola praised Haaland for his mentality and believes that is integral to his stellar record.

"This guy will have a problem in the future because everyone will expect to him to get three or four every game, and that's not going to happen," he added.

"But I know him, he doesn't care about that. He is so positive and optimistic in his life. He never complains and, as long as the team plays with this intensity, he will score goals, though the exact target, I don't know.

"He is so effective and is such an incredible threat with his power. But his joy of life, always thinking good things will happen, that helps too."

Haaland's tally in all competitions now stands at 42, putting him just two shy of the record held by Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mohamed Salah across all competitions in the Premier League era.

The City number nine will have plenty of opportunities to surpass that total, with Guardiola's side set to continue their fight on three fronts after the international break.

Antonio Conte cheekily rubbed salt in Pep Guardiola's wounds by revealing he met the Manchester City manager's "idol" Julia Roberts during his time as Chelsea boss.

Guardiola revealed his admiration for the Hollywood star following City's 7-0 rout of RB Leipzig to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday.

The Catalan coach, though, revealed a personal disappointment that Roberts chose to visit City's rivals Manchester United during a 2016 trip, and said that snub would make him a "failure" regardless of whether his side win the Champions League this season or not.

"I have three idols in my life: Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Julia Roberts. These are my three idols. For obvious reasons, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods deserve it, and Julia Roberts as well," Guardiola said.

"Julia Roberts, years ago, came to Manchester. Not in the 1990s, when Alex Ferguson win titles, titles, titles and titles. She came in the period when we were better than United, these four or five years.

"And she went to visit Man United. She didn't come to see us. So, even if I win the Champions League, it cannot compare to the fact Julia Roberts came to Manchester and did not come to see us. My idol.

"That's why no matter what happens, even if I win the Champions League, it will not make up for the disappointment I had."

Spurs boss Conte has now added to his rival boss' misery by speaking about his own encounter with the 'Pretty Woman' star.

"Julia Roberts? She also came [to a match] when I was at Chelsea," he said.

"She watched the game and then I had the possibility to show her into the dressing room. 

"It's good that an important person like Julia Roberts likes football. I think it's important for football."

Asked if Guardiola is a "failure", Conte replied: "It's normal for big coaches at important clubs to try to win every competition, and we know very well for Pep – one of the most important coaches in the world – the importance of winning the Champions League after seven years with Manchester City.

"During your career, sometimes failure is part of your job and it pushes you to become stronger and make yourself better. 

"For the big coaches, the expectation is to lift a trophy. It's the same for me here, and if we don't lift a trophy the first responsibility falls on the coach. I know the expectations of myself are really high."