Pep Guardiola has insisted Manchester City ‘will be back’ as they prepare to face Liverpool in Sunday’s blockbuster Premier League clash at Anfield.
Despite sitting second in the table, it has been a difficult season for the reigning champions so far.
City have failed to win their last six matches across all competitions and, earlier in the week, threw away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League.
Some feel they may not be able to reel in Liverpool, who are currently flying under Arne Slot and eight points clear of their rivals at the top of the table.
Pep Guardiola has insisted Manchester City ‘will be back’ as they prepare to face Liverpool in Sunday’s blockbuster Premier League clash at Anfield
PA
Yet Guardiola, speaking at his pre-match press conference, insists it would be wrong to write off his side.
When asked if City were in crisis, the Spaniard said: “It is up to you, whatever you text and write.
“We are second in the table. I’ve said many times that maybe we have to live as a club, as a team – live these kind of situations.
“We will be back, I know that. I don’t know when, that is the truth.
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“You can judge the situation that we are in – when the team has controlled the Premier League for many years – it’s normal that the situation happens.
“It’s about how we stand up again and again and again, whatever happens.
“We have done it in the past and hopefully we can start to do it again.”
Should Liverpool win on Sunday, they will extend their lead over City to a huge 11 points.
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But Guardiola has downplayed the significance of the showdown and says it’s merely another game, even if he’s got only positive things to say about Slot’s team.
“In the situation we are in, it is not realistic to think about big targets,” continued the former Barcelona and Bayern boss.
“The situation is to think about the next game and getting the momentum to continue and that will come back.
“Even in good situations, thinking about winning the title in November/December was not realistic.
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Pep Guardiola has been impressed by Liverpool as his Man City side prepare for one of their toughest tests of the season
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“Liverpool are a team that have lost just one game, they are in such good form and are so powerful in all departments, especially in the boxes.
“I always think about the targets in April/May. It will be more difficult for us if we don’t get a result on Sunday but still there are many, many games to play.”
City have been the best team in the country over the past four years or so.
And Guardiola believes his players are capable of turning things around, despite their poor form.
Pep Guardiola is adamant Man City can turn their season around as they prepare to face Liverpool on Sunday
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“Yes, of course. I don’t know if confidence is the right word but when the dynamics are good, it’s always easier,” he said.
“You have to accept the situation that we have and we are in right now.
“I have learned all my life to move forward in the good moments and the bad moments. We are in the end of November, Anfield will be the beginning of December so there are many months to play, many good things to play for and you have to learn and learn.
“It’s how many times you stand up when again and again you fall.”