“Liverpool’s advantage is too big” for Manchester City. Says, Pep Guardiola. The manager conceded the Premier League title race is over after the reigning champions lost 3-2 at wolves.
City is 14 points behind Liverpool and a point below Leicester City which is second placed in the Premier League table.
This season, City has lost five Premier League games. They have also played a game more than Liverpool who has dropped two points only this season. The Reds are on a run, stretching back to March of 26 wins from 27 league games and are two matches way from going a full year unbeaten in the top flight.
When asked if the title race is over, Guardiola responded, “the advantage is too big, yes.”
He added, “it is unrealistic to think about Liverpool. We think about Leicester. We have the chance to recover in second place. I know the quality of my team but that’s the situation.”
Bernardo Silva, City’s winger added, “It is a really bad situation for us. A frustrating first half of the season. Nobody expected us to be this far away from Liverpool at this halfway point.”
“We have to continue now. We know that winning the title is very complicated. I wouldn’t say impossible but very difficult.”
Will City prioritize the cups?
City has already won one trophy this season, beating Liverpool on penalties to lift the Community Shield in August.
They are still competing in both domestic cup competitions and are in the last 16 of the Champions League where they will meet Real Madrid.
They face League Two side Port Vale in the third round of the FA Cup on 4th January before taking on rivals Manchester United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals on 7th January.
But Guardiola insists City will not prioritize these competitions as they have to secure a European spot for next season.
“We cannot prioritize or next season we will not be in Europe.” Said Guardiola.
“We come back in less than 40 hours to play another game and we will see how the players feel. That is what we are going to do.”