Guardiola started without Erling Haaland in City's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle and watched Omar Marmoush thrive up front, scoring twice in the 3-1 win before eventually bringing on the Norwegian.
The coach was asked whether Haaland would start at Anfield on Sunday despite not scoring in the Premier League in December and responded by simply declaring his No.9 to be the best striker in the world. "Erling is the best striker in the world," he said. "I don't know [if he plays], we'll decide tomorrow. Always I say, Erling is the best!"
City have only won one of their 1-0 trips to Anfield under Guardiola and that came when the stadium was empty due to coronavirus restrictions. Manchester United and Nottingham Forest are the only teams to have won at Anfield this season. The Reds are sixth in the Premier League table with eight points fewer than City but Guardiola said they were still a force to be reckoned with.
"They remain an exceptional team; a top class manager, and an exceptional team, no doubt," he said. "Moments are moments, seasons are seasons... Always they remain a good team!"