Pep Guardiola's annual prediction is coming true again to motivate Man City title challenge

There are some questions that can be asked of Pep Guardiola that have the same answer every time, regardless of why it is being asked. Whether it is about Guardiola's own future at Manchester City, asking him about the rivalry with Liverpool, or potential signings, or the chance of creating a dynasty at the Etihad. The answer is always the same.

Guardiola will insist that City cannot afford to stand still or drop their standards. Because when they do, there are 19 other clubs hoping to topple them in the Premier League and bring them down. This summer is proving Guardiola's point for him yet again.

The manager will always point to the fact that every year he stays at City, the task of winning the league will get harder, as rivals strengthen to try to catch them - and they also develop more ways to stop Guardiola's approach. If he doesn't keep refreshing his City squad, and the tactics he wants them to follow, the regular flow of trophies will stop.

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So he won't be surprised to see all of their top-six rivals look busy in the transfer market as pre-season approaches and the new season is just a month away.

Liverpool have signed Darwin Nunez to replace the outgoing Sadio Mane, and sealed the important contract extension of Mo Salah - even if they're paying a significant amount to keep him at Anfield. They don't sound like they are finished in the transfer market, either.

Chelsea were closest to breaking City and Liverpool's dominance last season before falling away, so they've taken a £90m hit on sending Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan, and have been linked with Raheem Sterling. City can attest to the fact that he