Pep Guardiola will concede the title if Man City lose at Liverpool

Manager of struggling champions says trip to Anfield crucial and admits side have been left ‘fragile’ following 4-0 hammering by Tottenham

Copy link
twitter
facebook
whatsapp
email
Copy link
twitter
facebook
whatsapp
email
Pep Guardiola said hopes of a fifth successive Premier League title will be over if Manchester City lose at Liverpool next week after his “fragile” side suffered a fifth defeat in a row.
City were comprehensively beaten by Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium, with James Maddison scoring twice before Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson added more goals. 
City became the first reigning champions to lose five games in a row since Chelsea in 1956 and Guardiola’s team could fall 11 points behind Liverpool if they are beaten at Anfield next Sunday. 
In the event of a defeat, Guardiola insisted the main objective of the season would be securing a Champions League place, rather than looking at the title.
“When you lose 4-0 you can only congratulate Tottenham. We are a bit fragile right now, we struggled to score goals in this game and we are playing a bit in our thoughts with negativity. We lost three games in the row in the Premier League but we have to break these results,” the City manager said.
“We are not used to doing this situation but life is like this. Sometimes it happens and we have to accept it. It is what it is now and we will stand up and do it.”
When asked whether an 11-point deficit would be too much to make up to win the title, he added: “Yes. In terms of Liverpool winning, winning, winning.
“We have to think about the next game rather than the end of the season. We won it in the past because we deserved it, now we have to step-by-step get better and first of [all] qualification for the Champions League.”
City had John Stones come off at half-time in discomfort, having returned to the team after missing international duty. Kyle Walker, who captained the team, said the players have the ability to return to winning ways.
“It’s hard to stand here and speak about it when I haven’t properly digested it yet. I’ve stood here when we won titles so I’ll stand here for defeats too,” he said.
“Hopefully the mojo comes back and we see the normal City from the past eight seasons. Your powers don’t just go. We know our qualities and weaknesses. You get a win, you get your confidence and we’re back to how we used to feel.”
“I wouldn’t say we’ve lost confidence together. I’ve spent eight years with this group. You lose confidence as a team but we have to remember what we’ve achieved together. What we’ve achieved in the past means nothing, it’s history. We have one team above us doing really well. We’ll keep fighting to the end as we always do.”
Spurs’ win came after questions were asked of manager Ange Postecoglou following the defeat by Ipswich Town before the international break.
“Look, you don’t come to a place like this expecting it is going to be as convincing as it was for us,” said the Spurs manager. “City test you in every football way possible, you have to do a bit of everything – defend, work hard, be disciplined and play football and in all four areas we got to a really strong level.
“After a really disappointing game last game we got back to our core beliefs. Credit to the lads, they were outstanding. We had to weather a storm and then grew into a game. [I’m] so pleased for the players, trying to play the way we want to. It furthers our progression.
“You have to be [clinical]. They won’t give you too many opportunities. There was a calmness and maturity about how we handled the ball. Against City you can get spooked and don’t want to play against them. But you have to play.
“They test you in every way – mentally, physically, tactically. Our flat spots have been really flat and something we need to eradicate. We’re a much better team this year than last year. We just need to find consistency.”
Copy link
twitter
facebook
whatsapp
email