Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, has boldly claimed that Liverpool, currently leading the Premier League with 57 points from 24 matches, won’t be able to break City’s record points total. Despite trailing by 16 points and with Liverpool seven points clear of Arsenal in their quest for a 20th title, Guardiola remains proud of the significant achievements City has reached in recent years.
In light of City’s recent struggles, especially following their disappointing 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League play-offs, Guardiola addressed criticisms regarding his team’s performance.
He highlighted the importance of the records City has set, including their historic 100-point season in 2017-2018, which marked their first Premier League title under Guardiola’s leadership.
Guardiola discussed the competitive nature of the Premier League, saying, “We’ve set the bar in England. Reaching 100 points is a huge challenge in today’s football, especially with teams like Bournemouth, Fulham, and Wolves pushing for success.”
While he believes Liverpool may not surpass City’s record this season, Guardiola praised the improvements seen across the league. He also acknowledged that Manchester City has struggled to meet their usual high standards this season, due to injuries and player fatigue.
“The competition has evolved,” Guardiola explained. “Teams are better prepared than ever before. This season has taught us a lot about resilience and consistency.”
Despite the current challenges, Guardiola stressed the importance of accepting where they are. “This is the first time many of us have faced this position. What we achieved in the past was extraordinary and not the standard,” he said.
He also recognized that City has struggled to make the most of their possession this season. “We’ve been finding it tough even when we control the ball,” Guardiola admitted. “We’re working on this and know that the way forward is about adapting and overcoming these challenges together.”
