MANCHESTER City manager Pep Guardiola has described Liverpool as Premier League title contenders and highlighted how Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has played a part in his (Guardiola’s) own development.
The two teams meet at Anfield on Sunday with Liverpool on top of the Premier League table with 14 points from six matches and City one point behind.
“There are many title contenders. Liverpool since I arrived here, first year maybe not, but after we won 100 points, Liverpool always was there,” Guardiola told his pre-match press conference on Friday.”Last season they had big problems with injuries in the same position. We were excellent again last season.
“Both teams are there all the time. Both clubs and organisations can say all the time we were there. This is the important thing. But we know there are many teams who can fight for the Premier League.”
Under the guidance of Guardiola and Klopp, City and Liverpool have won the last four Premier League titles (three to City, one to Liverpool), and Pep admits that he has benefited from the rivalry.
“He [Klopp] helped me. His teams and he helped me be a better manager,” the Spaniard said.”He put me on another level, to think about it and prove myself. What I have to do to be a better manager and try to beat them. This is the reason why we’re still in this business.
“Some managers make a challenge to make you step forward. We did it in Germany when we faced each other. Here in England we’re many years together. It’s nice because both teams have the same idea – score goals. They’re quicker than us but we both try to win the game.
“For us it’s an honour to have Liverpool as rivals. But in many years we try to compete against this legendary club, for us it is an honour to be their rivals because it means we are there competing against one of the most historic teams in England.”
Manchester City’s form in the Premier League has not been consistent this season, with a home draw against Southampton followed by an away win at Chelsea, but Guardiola is not worried, at least not yet.
He said: “I start to see the table after ten, twelve fixtures. Now to be one ahead or one down is not important. When you arrive in knockout stages that is important.
“We reached a high level in the last weeks – especially in the last two matches – and this is what we have to continue.
“It will help in the end. The way we play, the results are what will help us at the end of the season. To win at Anfield would be good, I can’t deny. Like in Stamford Bridge it’s so nice to live these kinds of games.
“When you have eight fixtures, it’s important not to be far, far away. But when we won the second Premier League title in a row, we were seven behind Liverpool in January/February and we won the league”.
Despite City’s 2-0 defeat to Lionel Messi-inspired Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in midweek, Guardiola insisted his team’s recent performances have been satisfactory.
“The way we played the last two games makes me so satisfied with what we have done,” he noted.
“Obviously, when we won league I’m happy but in this period when we’ve played injured and Foden and De Bruyne trained for just two weeks, the level and consistency is so good.
“That’s why I’m happier than ever. But it’s not about comparing to the past. We have to try and do it again. I know where the team comes from. Last season it’s hard to do better but we have seen details that say we’re still there after six years together. It makes me proud.”
