Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp believes that Manchester City's Pep Guardiola is currently the best manager in the world.
City are top of the Premier League once again after 12 matches of the 2018-19 campaign, two points ahead of the Reds and still unbeaten domestically.
Guardiola's men are bidding to defend the title they won at a canter last term by 19 points from Manchester United, who they defeated 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium in their last outing before the international break .
The Red Devils are now eighth in the table and 12 points off the pace, with a challenge for the title in 2018-19 now seeming impossible as they aim to get in contention for a Champions League spot.
And Klopp believes that Guardiola is incomparable to anyone in the managerial game at the moment.
When asked to choose between Mourinho and Guardiola, Klopp told Sky Sport Germany : "I think Pep is the best coach in the world.
"Any other name could have come up [for comparison], so you do not have to compare him to Jose. Pep's doing it pretty well!"
Klopp went on to field questions regarding his own team's chances of silverware this season, responding when asked if he would prefer to win the Premier League or the Champions League: "The Premier League because Liverpool have yet to win it."
On reflection, though, he added: "I would not really make a difference. I would like to have both, that would be my ultimate aim."
Next up for the Reds is an away clash against Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon , before a huge Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain four days later.
City, meanwhile, are in action against West Ham at home this weekend , while Manchester United welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford.
During his managerial career, Guardiola has already won the league title in Spain, Germany and England, while he helped guide Barcelona to two Champions League wins in 2008-09 and 2010-11.
He may not see Klopp's comments on his ability as a coach, however, having insisted that he has little interest in reading about his managerial rivals and what they've had to say in the press.