MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola does not believe Liverpool's recent stumbles in the title race have been the result of mounting pressure applied by his side.
City leapfrogged Jurgen Klopp's men to the top of the table on goal difference by winning at Everton on Wednesday (Feb 6), just a week after Liverpool blew the chance to move seven points clear.
Liverpool still have a game in hand with both sides locked on 62 points, but back-to-back draws against Leicester and West Ham have allowed City right back into the race.
City are at home to Chelsea on Sunday in a match Guardiola described as "a final".
They could kick-off back in second place as Liverpool host Bournemouth on Saturday.
"Tomorrow they play before us, I think things are going to change. The pressure," said Guardiola.
"Liverpool are exceptional, I don't have the feeling, Klopp, Virgil van Dijk feel the pressure, (Roberto) Firmino, (Mohamed) Salah, (Sadio) Mane.
"I feel they play good and try to win the games, I think they'll be there till the end and we have to be there to win our games."
Guardiola will have the luxury of recalling Kevin de Bruyne against his old side on Sunday after leaving the Belgian on the bench at Goodison Park in midweek.
De Bruyne came on in the final stages to set up Gabriel Jesus's second goal in a 2-0 City win, but Guardiola is wary of overplaying his side's player of the year last season after two long injury layoffs this season with knee problems.
'BE CAREFUL'
"There are times when team-mates are in better condition, in football what you have done in the past - you have to do it again in future," said Guardiola.
"We try to control the players, he played the last two. At Everton (on Wednesday), a few minutes, I want him to play as much as possible.
"He went out for five minutes and he was incredible. I want him to sustain that for a long time. When you're out a long time, I don't want him playing game, game, game."
Aymeric Laporte got City's opener against Everton, but the French centre-back has had to deputise at left-back in recent matches because of Benjamin Mendy's continued absence with a knee injury.
Mendy has played just 27 minutes of football since Nov 11 and Guardiola conceded that it could yet be some time before the French World Cup winner is fully match-fit.
"He's injured, it's not easy, meniscus," said Guardiola.
"He needs to re-adapt, it's not that if you start training in two days you are fit, he has to handle the effort we are putting on him - he has to be careful."
A social media post from Mendy suggesting he was in Hong Kong even drew an expletive when Guardiola was asked about his whereabouts.
However, Mendy later confirmed he was in fact in Barcelona, which the club were aware of, to receive treatment on his injury.
MANCHESTER CITY's England forward Raheem Sterling has been awarded The Integrity and Impact Award at this year's BT Sport Industry Awards for speaking out on a range of social issues, including racism. Sterling was recognised for his fight against racism in the sport and for using his platform to call for more action to be taken.
Sterling honoured with award for fighting racism - CNA
The 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev last May was something of a freak result as Jurgen Klopp's side were the better team until Mohamed Salah Milner wants to put right. final, we can
"I want to be respectful": Rafa on his Reds' team & 2019 side
Football: Philippe Aw, Fadzuhasny Juraimi, to lead U-15 and U-18 Cubs at tournies. Former Hougang United head coach Philippe Aw (left) was named the head coach of the Under-15 team while former
Scottish Cup round-up: Dundee United knock St Mirren out as
sportslifetale.com/soccer/scottish-cup-round-up-dundee-united-knock-st-mirren-out-as-hibernian-cruise-into-quarters/
Football: Philippe Aw, Fadzuhasny Juraimi, to lead U-15 and U-18 Cubs at tournies. 01/18/2019. Soccer. Paul Pogba believes Raheem Sterling is sometimes treated
Home United snap Albirex Niigata's title-winning streak
sportslifetale.com/soccer/home-united-snap-albirex-niigatas-title-winning-streak/
The long trophy streak has, at long last, been broken. After hoovering up all 11 trophies on offer in the previous three seasons, Albirex Niigata finally tasted defeat when Home United triumphed 5-4 on penalties to lift the Community Shield last night as the new Singapore Premier League (SPL) season kicked off.
Singapore U15 and U18 to take part in Jockey Club
Rooney bags first MLS hat trick in DC romp. Former England star Wayne Rooney scored three goals on Saturday night to lead DC United to a crushing 5-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. Rooney
Football: Wayne Rooney bags first MLS hat-trick in D.C. romp
United will attack Spurs, vows Lingard brand of football under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when they travel to Tottenham on Sunday. Paris Saint-Germain ended the
United will attack Spurs, vows Lingard - Soccer News
Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Van Gaal The 67-year-old Dutchman also suggested United played more exciting football in his time at the helm than they do now. Van Gaal's claims
Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Van Gaal
LONDON (REUTERS) - Ryan Babel struck a potentially deadly blow to Cardiff City's Premier League survival chances with a stunning 25-yard strike that secured Fulham a deserved 1-0 win at Craven
Ryan Babel's late winner for Fulham leaves Cardiff on brink
BARCELONA -- Lionel Messi put Barcelona on the verge of the Champions League final with a devastating double in a 3-0 home win over Liverpool in the first leg of their last-four clash on Wednesday, taking his goal tally for the Catalans to 600.
Football: Messi torments Liverpool with 600th Barca goal in 3
Premier League final day build-up; Let's look at the major talking points. Could there be a title race miracle? After the most intense title battle for many a year, it comes down to the final weekend.
Premier League Talking Points - Gameweek 1 - YouTube
SINGAPORE - Former Singapore star striker Fandi Ahmad is set for a return to Malaysian football. Fandi will join the Johor FA team as technical director, after an invitation by the crown prince of the Malaysian state, Tunku Mahkota Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim, who took over as president of the Johor FA last week.
Game of Thrones is a show that has a lot of balls in the air at any given moment.Oftentimes, there will be so many storylines to cover, that we won't see some characters for episodes at a time
Game of Jones: Leslie Jones and Seth Return to Watch Game of
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk opens up on facing Lionel Messi in UCL semi final . 'Cannot Stop Messi Alone,' Admits Van Dijk. PTI Updated: 19.04.19. Football 2 min read.
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Virgil Van Dijk- The New
SINGAPORE - Singaporean Akbar Nawas has been named the I-League's best coach after leading Chennai City to their first title earlier this month. The Indian team swept seven out of 10 categories at the I-League awards and trophy presentation ceremony at the Taj Corramandel in Chennai on Wednesday (March 20).
Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas' Chennai City FC crowned new I
"We are delighted to announce that the First Team squad will travel to Singapore and Shanghai as part of our pre-season tour in July in preparation for the 2019/20 season," the club announced on
Tottenham to visit Singapore in July, Latest Football News
City and Liverpool leave chasing pack facing tough summer The Star. 13/05/2019. Liverpool's attempt to dethrone Manchester City as Premier League champions ended in glorious failure yesterday, but
City and Liverpool leave chasing pack facing tough summer
0 comments:
Post a Comment