On Saturday, Manchester City players will hear one or two renditions of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ by the travelling Liverpool fans at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola insists he views Liverpool no differently despite their own storm this season, which sees them in sixth and facing a fight for a top four finish. Despite trailing leaders Arsenal, Guardiola acknowledged securing a top four spot in the Premier League is no easy task. Asked if he would have accepted a drop from title challengers last season to sixth place this term, the City boss launched a passionate defence of his own side and their achievement of qualifying for Europe every season under his watch.
Pep Guardiola said: “Always I think [a drop-off] can happen. I never overestimate me or the team, that it’s not going to happen. This can happen. I’ve said many times that the teams who win the Premier League, the year after, not even qualify for the Europa League. Every time can happen what happened to Liverpool this season or another case, Chelsea or another team in the top six. It can happen to us absolutely. When it happens, try to find a solution as soon as possible and try to avoid it. If it happens, two or three weeks and fourth week try to find a solution. When it happens, accept the storm and always tomorrow the sun rises. The only thing I believe is don’t complain, find solutions and try to avoid it but knowing this can happen. You have to qualify for the Champions League every season. We are the only team in England to do it in the last decade but it (not qualifying) can happen. Still I’m waiting, the champagne is in the fridge for the moment we qualify for the Champions League next season. Still we haven’t done it. This is the only thing I care about.”
City are 14 points ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle, who have 12 games remaining, and a Champions League spot is seemingly inevitable. And the boss believes returning from an international break with a game against Liverpool is the perfect game to come back to.
Pep Guardiola said: “The reality is hopefully we can [keep the momentum], the rivalry we have with Liverpool can help us to connect immediately. International break is always tough to understand how in this moment when you play for everything and 10-15 days the players are out, it is what it is. Hopefully, we can respond well. The feeling is really good.”
