Pep Guardiola has insisted defeat at Liverpool this weekend would not end Manchester City’s defence of the Premier League title.
City make the trip to Merseyside looking to address an alarming run of form. Guardiola’s side are without a win in six games, a run that includes five straight defeats and the surrendering of a three-goal lead to draw with Feyenoord in midweek.
The champions take on the league leaders on Sunday, and defeat would see an 11-point gap open up between City and Liverpool. Despite that, Guardiola insists things can change with ‘many, many games to play’.
Asked whether the title race would be over his side with defeat, Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference: “In the situation we are in, it is not realistic to think about big targets. The situation is to think about the next game and getting the momentum to continue and that will come back.
“Even in good situations, thinking about winning the title in November/December was not realistic.
“Liverpool are a team that have lost just one game, they are in such good form and are so powerful in all departments, especially in the boxes.
“I always think about the targets in April/May. It will be more difficult for us if we don’t get a result on Sunday but still there are many, many games to play.”
Guardiola admitted his side are suffering from low confidence right now but backed City to bounce back from recent setbacks.
“Yes, of course. I don’t know if confidence is the right word but when the dynamics are good, it’s always easier.
“You have to accept the situation that we have and we are in right now.
“I have learned all my life to move forward in the good moments and the bad moments. We are in the end of November, Anfield will be the beginning of December so there are many months to play, many good things to play for and you have to learn and learn.
“It’s how many times you stand up when again and again you fall.”
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