MANCHESTER, England -- Pep Guardiola has said Liverpool are one of the best two teams he has ever faced during his time as a coach.
Liverpool moved back top of the Premier League on Saturday, meaning that Manchester City must now win their final two matches, starting with Leicester City on Monday night, to be certain of retaining their Premier League title.
City would become the first side to defend the crown since Manchester United in 2008-09 and Guardiola said it would be an even more remarkable achievement to finish ahead of a side he compared to the Barcelona team that thrashed former club Bayern Munich in a Champions League semifinal in 2015.
"In my career as a manager I have played against incredible sides and there are two that were 'wow,'" he told a news conference. "One is Barcelona with Luis Enrique, with Neymar, Messi and Suarez up front -- the other is this Liverpool.
"I think they are the best two sides I've faced as a manager. That's why being there, with it in our hands, fighting against them until the end, being seven points behind [at one stage] and after [winning the title with] 100 points."
Liverpool suffered their own three-goal defeat at Camp Nou in midweek but bounced back with a late win over Newcastle on Saturday to keep the pressure on City.
With two victories required to be certain of the title, Guardiola's side would finish the season with 98 points -- the second highest total ever only behind their own 100-point season in the previous year.
"Arriving at this stage, two games left with 92 points, after 100 points, being there, that is the most satisfaction I've had as a manager," Guardiola said. "It's not easy, honestly. And they did it again.
"Now we have Monday's game, try to win the game and then go to Brighton with it in our hands, a chance to be champions there. It's the toughest league I've ever played as a manager, because of the quality from the rivals.
"No doubts. That's why being there is incredible. But, of course, only one will take the prize and the other one will be at home sad."
Kevin De Bruyne will be ruled out of the clash against Leicester and Fernandinho is a doubt despite returning to first team training.