The Catalan says his Barcelona side reacted to winning the treble with a 99-point title win because Real Madrid were breathing down their necks
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City could be spurred to even greater heights by the prospect of Liverpool breathing down their necks all season.
City won the Premier League title with an unprecedented 100 points last season, 19 points clear of their nearest rivals, and have kicked off their title defence with 11 wins and two draws from 13 games, scoring 35 goals and conceding just five.
Liverpool are enjoying their best ever start to a Premier League campaign - they are also unbeaten and have conceded just five goals - but are still two points adrift of the defending champions.