Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has told his players to remain focused on the task at hand, claiming they too could fall like Liverpool in the title race.
Liverpool have lost ground in the race for the Premier League
At the start of April, Liverpool were in great shape to win their 20th English league title. They were undefeated in their last seven Premier League games and faced a comparatively easier schedule. Things started well for them as they secured a comfortable 3-1 win over Sheffield United. However, a few days later they played a 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford, leaving them two points behind.
They then suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace on April 14, allowing Manchester City to overturn a two-point deficit to then league leaders Liverpool and Arsenal. On Wednesday (April 24th), the Reds again dropped three invaluable points and lost 2-0 to relegation-threatened Everton. After Arsenal and Manchester City’s wins on Tuesday and Thursday respectively, Jürgen Klopp’s side have slipped to third place in the Premier League rankings. Arsenal currently lead the race by just one point, but City still have a game in hand.
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola believes Liverpool’s slip-up is not unusual
Speaking to the press after his team secured a resounding 4-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday evening (April 25), Guardiola said he had great respect for the Reds and warned players that they too were victims Such a defeat could be a blip.
The Spanish tactician revealed what he told his players before the game against Brighton (via The Herald):
“I told the players that what happened to Liverpool can also happen to us and Arsenal. People didn’t expect them to lose against Crystal Palace and yesterday, but it can happen to us – it’s football.
“Everton are trying to avoid the relegation zone and we have a similar game at Nottingham Forest (on Sunday) and they are playing for their lives.”
Finally he added:
“Perhaps my appreciation for Liverpool is greater than ever because they were a real competitor to us for many years.
“However, it (the title) is there (for Liverpool) because I know the character of their team. They will fight to the end and so must we.”
If they win the remaining five games, Manchester City will win their fourth consecutive Premier League title. They will be the first team ever to achieve this in the history of the English top flight.