Pep Guardiola's blunt response to Mo Salah announcement says it all about Liverpool icon

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Fans the world over will miss seeing Mohamed Salah in the Premier League after he announced his impending exit but Pep Guardiola may not be one of them

Liverpool fans won't be the only ones sad to see Mohamed Salah depart the Premier League for pastures new this summer. However, Pep Guardiola may be among the exceptions glad to see the back of the Anfield icon.

Salah, 33, announced on Tuesday night that his nine-year career in England's top flight will finally come to an end in June. That's despite the fact he has another year left to run on his contract and was expected to reach a full decade on Merseyside.

Not that Guardiola is likely to be among those mourning the loss. Salah has been the main proponent behind Liverpool's success in recent years, which has in kind prevented Guardiola's Manchester City from reaching even greater heights across the same span.

And the Catalan coach gave some insight regarding the reverence he has for Salah after the player signed a new contract at Liverpool last year. It's not unheard of for rival players or tacticians to praise players when they have career developments like this one.

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But there appeared to be more than a tinge of resentment, perhaps even jealousy, in Guardiola's response: "That's good [for] Arne Slot and the fans of Liverpool. There's no doubt the quality of Mo Salah."

Any resentment wasn't necessarily felt towards Salah or even Liverpool, however. More so Guardiola's response came across as though he was cold on the fact his club would be forced to continue facing Salah when he was so close to being rid of his presence.

Guardiola was very deliberate in outlining Salah's extension was good for Slot and Liverpool's fans but not the league in general. That omission seemed almost too coincidental not to think the 55-year-old never intended to be happy about the matter.

It's the ultimate compliment one can receive from one of the most accomplished managers of all time. Guardiola not wanting to face you as a member of the opposition anymore is a sure-fire sign you're doing at least something right.

And one can hardly blame Guardiola given Salah has scored 13 goals and assisted another eight in 24 appearances against City as a Liverpool player (plus once more at Chelsea). The only other clubs against whom he has featured as much are Chelsea and Tottenham (25 appearances apiece).

Salah scored two goals and notched two assists in just two league outings against City as Liverpool strode to the title last term. And the two titans are set to be reunited on April 4 when they meet in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

It could well end up being the last time Guardiola coaches a team against Salah as he prepares to leave Anfield. And it's one chapter in his football career he may be in a rush to close.