Mueez Ajao
– Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes Liverpool are still the biggest challengers to his side’s Premier League title defence.
– Tenth-placed Liverpool host second-placed City at Anfield on Sunday and are 13 points behind Guardiola’s side.
– Arsenal are top of the table and Antonio Conte’s Tottenham are three points behind City in third.
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– However, Guardiola said Liverpool “always have been” City’s main rivals for the title when asked on Friday.
– “If you asked that question with 10 games left I would say I don’t think Liverpool can catch the top of the league,” he said.
– “But being in the position we are now, and with the World Cup, anything can happen.
– “I know the quality they have. It has always been a tough game and I don’t expect anything else.”
– City have won four of the past five Premier League titles, with Liverpool beating them to the 2019-20 season by 18 points.
– The Reds have pushed City to the final day of the season twice in recent years, including last season when City came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-2 to deny Jurgen Klopp’s side the Premier League title and a chance at the ‘quadruple’.
– “A few months ago Liverpool were competing for a prestigious situation in English football, four titles, they had more shots, possession, everything in the final and they lost,” Guardiola said.
– “This is the same team, same manager, things can happen.
– “It’s part of the nature of the competition. I don’t look at good moments or bad moments I analyse as a team always expecting the best of them.
– Klopp earlier agreed this weekend’s fixture could be a title decider – but “not with us”.
– The Liverpool manager added: “They helped us to keep going of course in the seasons when we were both running away, this season is obviously different.”
