Pep Guardiola warns Manchester City could fall out of the Premier League title race if they lose to Liverpool at Anfield next weekend.
Guardiola’s Concerns Over Title Hopes
Pep Guardiola has raised concerns that Manchester City might be effectively out of the Premier League title race if they suffer a defeat to Liverpool at Anfield next weekend. After losing 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, City have now lost five consecutive matches in all competitions, including three straight league games.
Upcoming Fixtures: Feyenoord and Liverpool
Guardiola’s side will next face Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday before traveling to Anfield for a crucial Premier League match against Liverpool. Should Liverpool beat Southampton on Sunday, they will have the opportunity to extend their lead to eight points, and an 11-point gap would be difficult for City to overcome, even this early in the season.
Guardiola’s View on Title Race
Guardiola commented, “We’re not thinking about winning or losing [the title] right now. If we don’t win, it’s because we don’t deserve it. We won it in the past because we deserved it. Right now, we need to focus on Feyenoord and Champions League qualification. Step by step, the players will improve.”
City’s Defensive Fragility and Injury Concerns
Manchester City’s defensive struggles have been evident, as they’ve conceded 14 goals in their last five matches. Defensive injuries, including John Stones’ early substitution against Spurs, have worsened the situation. Guardiola acknowledged, “We are a bit fragile right now, and we need to break this negative run.”
Spurs’ Impressive Victory
Meanwhile, Tottenham moved up to sixth in the Premier League after their 4-0 victory over City. James Maddison scored twice, with Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson adding further goals. Tottenham’s counter-attacking play was sharp and effective, giving City few chances to recover.