Manchester City's defeat to Liverpool on Sunday has left the champions 11 points adrift of the table-toppers.
Sport
Updated 16:02, 03 Dec 2024
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Pep Guardiola looks pensive at Anfield on Sunday
Pep Guardiola was left frustrated at Anfield on Sunday(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola has conceded it would be a “big mistake” for Manchester City to think about winning the title following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. The result leaves the champions some 11 points adrift of the Premier League leaders after 13 matches.
The Blues have not registered a win in any competition since October and have lost their last four top-flight matches. Man City have slipped to fifth in the table as a result ahead of the visit of the in-form Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
Speaking ahead of the match, Guardiola suggested that the title was not a realistic prospect at this stage, given Liverpool’s sizeable lead. "After the results in the past, to think about a big target [winning Premier League] would be a big mistake,” he said.
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“We need to beat a team close to us and take advantage to be closer to the top four. We are not far away from being the second team in the league but it is all about consistency.
"Liverpool as a team have been magnificent and you just have to fight and win games. Step by step we have to move forward again."
Guardiola was seen sticking six fingers up to the Anfield crowd to reference his Premier League titles in response to chants of 'you're getting sacked in the morning' on Sunday. He said afterwards that he didn't expect the chant from the Liverpool faithful but underlined his respect for them.
And in his press conference on Tuesday, Guardiola insisted he wasn't "feeling sorry for myself" amid Man City's form and the defeat to Liverpool. "We just have to play and think about the next [game] I don't know another way," he said. "It is what it is."
Pep Guardiola reacts to Liverpool fans chanting jeers during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 1, 2024.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has meanwhile insisted he is not getting carried away with his team’s fantastic start, having lost just once all season. He pointed ahead to tricky fixtures against Newcastle United away on Wednesday and the trip to Everton for the Merseyside derby on Saturday lunchtime.
“We don't look at it at this moment like this,” Slot said in response to whether Liverpool are now favourites for the title. "We know we have a difficult week coming up again and as we thought.
“Real Madrid and Man City were difficult to face. I think it's even harder to go to Newcastle away as well. We're not even halfway through the season yet, but it's a good position to be in. That's definitely true."