Yes, I would say so. Look at the
thread predicting the top 6 of this season, most had them placing 3rd-5th place, just because they are playing really well doesn't mean their players are better individuals. Especially knowing Klopp's teams and how worse his players perform when they switch teams.
And where is the "hate" for Pep FFS
? I literally said that he was together with Klopp the two best managers currently. Do I have to claim that he is by far the best manager to not "hate" him?
Of course it doesn't always mean highest fee equals best player. When did I say that? But if you build a team for 1bn as opposed to 500m, you'd expect one team to have a much higher squad depth and on average player of higher quality than the other team, especially when you are able to attract pretty much every single player that is available on the market like Pep with City. And it's not like Pool had a couple of Messis/Iniestas/Xavis coming through their own academy either. I don't know how Pep would've built his team if he didn't have that opportunity like he did now, but one can assume it would be worse than the current one he has if he couldn't spend that much, no? (and in before someone says I'm "hating" him, I don't know how much worse it would be or if his team wouldn't be able to compete for the league anymore)
Regarding you last sentence: I can safely say that all of his players were bought for a fair price compared to their expected quality when they were bought, same goes for Liverpool.
Again, who is saying that? Pep has just vastly more financial possibilities than anyone including Klopp, it doesn't mean that Klopp is operating on a shoestring budget FFS...
And who is saying that Pep is not rightfully very highly rated? I honestly don't get why people would get so offended if you just don't see him as the clear best...
FWIW: I think City is currently the better team, which is also honestly to be expected if you are able to spend that much more TBH. And no, I don't think either one is the objectively better manager.