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.
Stealth: The one area where no version of the Super Hornet can compete with the F-35 is stealth. Stealth more or less has to be baked into an airframe design right from the outset—no ifs or buts.
The Charlotte Hornets are quietly 5th in the East without MKG
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has an incredible relationship with Manchester United's players, according to midfielder Ander Herrera, although the 29-year-old also insists Jose Mourinho made him a better
Why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could keep the Man Utd job
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas has suggested Hugo Lloris should be dropped for Paulo Gazzaniga against Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Lloris made a costly mistake in the 90th minute against Liverpool on Sunday, resulting in a Toby Alderweireld own goal and consigning Spurs to their fourth defeat in five Premier League outings.
Pundit says Spurs must consider dropping star after Liverpool
Spain wasteful but Enrique happy with chances created Spain's defender Sergio Ramos challenging Norway goalkeeper Rune Jarstein and midfielder Stefan Johansen during their Euro 2020 qualifier at
Spain wasteful but Enrique happy with chances created
Maurizio Sarri was back answering the media's questions at Cobham today and he spoke at length about Callum Hudson-Odoi, a star for England during the international break and who Sarri hopes will play a prominent part in Chelsea's end to the season.
Sarri to determine transfer fate of Kostas Manolas - Thewistle
LONDON: Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa's sportsmanlike decision to allow Aston Villa to score unopposed in Sunday's 1-1 draw is all the more remarkable given what is at stake for the Championship club, former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has said.
Corrected: Soccer - Wenger hails Leeds' Bielsa for
a great 'keeper, a fine human So I am glad he saved my header - because that act was the start of a friendship between us that I will always treasure. Rest in peace, my friend.
How Much Cash Should You Keep in the Bank? - Investopedia
Neymar will travel to Qatar to undergo a "complete assessment" six weeks into his recovery from a fractured right foot, Paris Saint-Germain said on Thursday. Neymar heads to Qatar for medical
Ligue 1: Neymar will now recuperate in Qatar - marca.com
Wolves beat Bournemouth in their best top-flight run for 38 years 2 BOURNEMOUTH 0 . Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth - Molineux Stadium
Wolves beat Bournemouth in their best top-flight run for 38
Young Lions stay in hunt for finals. Mar 25, 2019, 5:00 am. Brains over brawn. Mar 25, 2019, 5:00 am. Football: Singapore Under-22s hold group top seeds North Korea to keep AFC Championship hopes
Lions learning to hunt - Africa Geographic
LONDON • Manchester United have been on a roll since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment with 11 wins from 13 games in all competitions, but Jurgen Klopp believes he has "the blueprint" to inflict their first Premier League loss under the caretaker boss tomorrow.
Tottenham must adopt Liverpool(ish) blueprint to beat
Tottenham have announced plans to travel to Singapore and Shanghai as part of their preseason tour in July ahead of the 2019-20 season. Further details regarding opposition and venues have yet to
Tottenham Hotspur to visit Singapore and Shanghai for pre
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen