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 United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted that his side got away with a sloppy display during their 2-1 win over Watford on Sunday, believing that they have put themselves "almost in the driving seat" to finish in the top four. Goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rates Anthony Martial's chances of
Reds the hungrier side, says Van Dijk LONDON • Virgil van Dijk believes Liverpool will want victory more than Everton in the Merseyside derby today owing to the ramifications in the pursuit of the Premier League title.
Reds the hungrier facet, says Van Dijk - Latest News
LONDON (REUTERS) - Ajax Amsterdam took a massive stride towards a first Champions League final for 23 years as Donny van de Beek's early goal earned a 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg
Van de Beek gives Ajax edge over Spurs in semi-final
ABERDEEN, Scotland (AP) — A joint World Cup bid by North and South Korea is being talked up by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "I have been hearing for the Women's World Cup in 2023, the two
Infantino says joint Korean Women's World Cup bid possible
Moving to Norway is a desire that many people share. This post shows how to move to Norway and 30 things to know before starting your new life in Norway.The post will also give details on the various Norwegian visas that are available and how to apply for them as a citizen of various countries.
Norway - Wikipedia
"Get all latest content delivered straight to your inbox." Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human:
World Cup » News » Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes
National sports agency Sport Singapore (SportSG) announced on Sunday that they have penned a three-year partnership with Bayern Munich.. As a result of this tie-up, both the parties involved will
Bayern Munich sign partnership with Sport Singapore
Singapore Premier League clubs could sign three imports from next season after the increase in foreign player quota was raised at the Football Association of Singapore's 36th Annual Congress . Albirex Niigata can sign up unlimited number of Singaporean players for the new season. Only 1 local player above 23 years old is allowed.
SEA Games flop is just one sign that Singapore football is
England manager Gareth Southgate fears a Champions League scheduling "mess" could damage the Three Lions' chances of winning their first silverware in 53 years. Southgate's side face Netherlands in the Nations League semi-finals on June 6 in Portugal, five days after the Champions League final takes place at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.
Southgate: UCL may make Nations League 'mess'
global.espn.com/football/england/story/3799855/english-success-in-champions-league-could-make-nations-league-mess-southgate
England manager Gareth Southgate expressed concern that the success of Premier League clubs in the Champions League could make for a messy go of things for the Three Lions in the Nations League final four on June 5 and 6.
Tottenham and Liverpool success hits England's Nations League
Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed his fifth successive victory since being named interim manager as his much-changed side beat second-tier strugglers Reading 2-0 at home in the FA
Is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's start at Manchester United the best
Liverpool crushed Arsenal 5-1 to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League on Saturday but manager Juergen Klopp still would not get involved in any talk of winning the title.
Liverpool`s Klopp Avoids Title Talk despite Arsenal Rout
Football: Young Lions beaten, but not discouraged, after SPL loss to April 6, 2019 Christie Brinkley's daughter Sailor Brinkley Cook stuns in purple string bikini
Young Lions beaten but impress new coach - tnp.sg
Former Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho fell as he presented a symbolic face-off at a Russian hockey match Mourinho humiliated by fall at Russian hockey league face-off The two-time
Mourinho humiliated by fall at Russian hockey league face-off
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar