Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp laughed off some barbs from counterpart Pep Guardiola that have inflamed the Premier League title race, saying on Monday they were heat-of-the-moment comments likely fueled by Manchester City’s painful elimination from the Champions League.

After seeing his City go three points clear of Liverpool, Guardiola launched an outburst that gives this title rivalry a more spiky edge. In an outburst after City’s 5-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday.