Rephrase the title:Liverpool vs Man City squad cost: Has Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp spent more in transfer fees?

“Our trophies mean more” were the words of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the build-up to a gargantuan clash between Liverpool and Manchester City this weekend.

The Liverpool full-back was discussing Jurgen Klopp’s impact at Anfield during his reign as boss, ahead of his exit at the end of the season, and hinted that the Reds’ success is more significant than Pep Guardiola’s due to Man City’s abundance of cash.

Klopp’s farewell tour kicked off in style with a Carabao Cup triumph over Chelsea in February and his side can still win as many as three other trophies in the remaining months of the campaign.

However, to win the Premier League, they must finish above Guardiola’s inevitable City. 

The Sporting News looks at the two squads, the money spent on players and whether the ‘Man City have spent more so they win more’ argument is even relevant. 

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Has Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola spent more money?

“It’s difficult. You’re up against a machine that’s built to win – that’s the simplest way to describe City and their organisation,” said Alexander-Arnold in his interview with Four Four Two. 

“Looking back on this era, although they’ve won more titles than us and have probably been more successful, our trophies will mean more to us and our fanbase because of the situations at both clubs, financially. How both clubs have built their teams and the manner in which we’ve done it, probably means more to our fans.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold on Instagram linking his interview where he made comments about City’s success. pic.twitter.com/99WB9q4Syn

— The Anfield Talk (@TheAnfieldTalk) March 7, 2024

City have spent an enormous amount of money, there’s no point in arguing against that, however, Liverpool and Klopp have hardly been restricted in the transfer market. The German manager has spent over £800 million since he arrived, but compare that to Guardiola … and it’s a lot less.

The Spaniard’s total spend amounts to over £1.2 billion and Guardiola came to Manchester a year after Klopp took charge of Liverpool.

It is also worth pointing out that just weeks before the start of this season, Klopp’s side had a £110 million bid accepted by Brighton for Moises Caicedo. In the end, Caicedo opted to sign for Chelsea but the fact that money was available to Klopp puts to bed any suggestions he hasn’t had substantial funding available to him. 

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s top 10 most expensive signings

When you look at the most expensive signings made under each manager, it’s clear that City’s business has seen more hits than Liverpool and their trophy cabinet reflects that.

For Alexander-Arnold to say Liverpool’s success “means more” is a sign that City are breathing down their necks, in the fear that the Reds will once again be beaten to the title come May. 

While Liverpool also have acquired players for low transfer fees such as Andy Robertson or Wataru Endo, City can say the same for Manuel Akanji or the academy graduates like Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb.

Liverpool’s forwards this season include Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo. Their transfer fees combined cost over £200 million – throw in Alisson and Van Dijk’s price tags and you’re well over £300 million spent.

There will never be an answer to “Does silverware mean more to Man City or Liverpool fans?”, but Alexander-Arnold’s comments have certainly added a spicier layer to the build-up to Sunday’s showdown.