Pep Guardiola has declined to engage in a public exchange with Liverpool boss Arne Slot following the Dutchman’s remarks about Manchester City’s squad depth.
The Spaniard brushed off the suggestion that his team’s resources are a decisive advantage, instead choosing to focus on his own side’s fitness and form ahead of their Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
Guardiola dismisses Manchester City’s squad depth debate
The discussion began earlier in the week when Arne Slot, speaking after Liverpool’s 3–0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, compared the strength of City’s bench to that of his own.
Slot had rotated heavily for the tie at Selhurst Park, naming several academy players in the starting lineup. The young Reds were overwhelmed by Palace, prompting the Liverpool manager to reflect on the gap between Manchester City’s squad depth and his team.
“Before I went out I saw City’s line-up and I don’t think they had one starter from the weekend,” Slot said after the match.
“But it felt as if you looked at their line-up that they played with 11 starters. Maybe it also gives a little bit of insight that everybody has always said how big of a squad we are having.”
He continued by comparing Liverpool’s situation with that of Chelsea, another club known for heavy investment.
“When we played Chelsea, I said they are missing eight but they can still bring Estevao in. We are only missing four players at the moment and already we needed to start with four players under the age of 19 and after I made two substitutions we were on six.”
The comments hinted at a certain frustration, despite Liverpool’s own significant summer spending spree, which saw the club twice break the British transfer record as part of a reported £400 million outlay.
Slot’s words quickly made headlines, sparking debate about whether Manchester City’s squad depth has given them an insurmountable edge over their rivals.
In contrast, the Sky Blues had also made sweeping changes for their midweek fixture but produced a far more convincing performance.
Guardiola’s men made ten changes from the side that lost to Aston Villa in the league, with only Oscar Bobb retaining his place. Their lineup featured academy midfielder Divine Mukasa, but the rest of the squad was composed largely of senior players.
Despite falling behind early against Swansea, City rallied to win 3–1 and book their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
When asked directly about Slot’s remarks and the supposed difference in squad depth, Guardiola was quick to defuse the situation.
“We don’t have injuries. It’s the same squad depth as last season. Right now we have less injuries but the depth is similar to last season,” he said during Friday’s pre-match press conference.
The City manager then added with a smile, “You will not have my headlines, I’m sorry.”
It was a typically understated response from Guardiola, who has been careful not to fan the flames of rivalry through the media.
The Catalan tactician has long emphasised that squad depth is not just about the number of players available, but about how they are utilised and integrated into the team’s rhythm.
Slot backtracks after Guardiola’s response
Interestingly, Arne Slot appeared to soften his stance just a day later.
When the Liverpool manager faced journalists ahead of his side’s Premier League meeting with Aston Villa, he clarified that his earlier comments had not been meant as criticism of his own squad. Instead, he reiterated his satisfaction with the options at his disposal.
“We miss nothing,” Slot said. “I am completely happy with the team and with all the quality that we have.”
The reversal seemed aimed at cooling any perceived tension between the two managers, both of whom are navigating demanding seasons filled with domestic and European fixtures.
Slot, who replaced Jürgen Klopp during the summer, has made a promising start to life at Anfield but has also faced questions about whether Liverpool’s youthful depth can withstand the rigours of competing on multiple fronts.
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Guardiola, meanwhile, is managing the challenge of sustaining success after years of dominance. His side continues to balance Premier League duties with deep runs in cup competitions, a balancing act that has often required him to rely on the entire Manchester City’s squad depth.
The Spaniard has frequently pointed to the professionalism and adaptability of his players rather than sheer numbers as the reason for their consistency.
City’s ability to make near-wholesale changes without a noticeable dip in performance underscores the system Guardiola has built.
Players such as Rico Lewis, and Oscar Bobb, and Divine Mukasa have seamlessly stepped into senior roles when called upon, while new signings have been gradually integrated into the team’s structure.
