Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola stressed the difficulty of facing Liverpool next Sunday at Anfield, in the top of the 11th round matches of the English Premier League.
Guardiola said in the press conference today, Friday: “The game against Liverpool is always difficult, since I arrived here and it is a special match.”
Regarding City’s advantage after securing qualification for the round of 16 in the Champions League, he said: “I don’t know, it was important for us to qualify for the round of 16.”
He explained: “What will happen in the match will happen on the field and not because of the standings table. My opinion of Liverpool will not change because of their position in the league.”
He continued: “We always play at Anfield with a great personality, it is one of the biggest stadiums, and it is a pleasure to be there and to participate in the match.”
And the Manchester City coach pointed out: “You have to give your highest level, especially when you don’t have the ball… The importance of Liverpool lies in the quality they have.”
He revealed: “John (Stones) will come back, but I don’t know when maybe after one week. He’s getting better, and looking at Kyle (Walker) he’s still missing.”
And about his players feeling tired, he said: “We played several matches in a row last season. The players are in good shape and are ready for Sunday’s match.”
Guardiola confirmed: “Erling Haaland is ready to face Liverpool, as he is as a football player with his movements, speed, and abilities, and he is among the best without a doubt.”
He continued: “Phil Foden is a threat, he is an important player for many things. This is a new game and we have to start from scratch. He is a player who can do something special.”
Regarding the renewal of his contract, he said: “I do not think for a second about it, and two or three weeks before the World Cup, what matters are the matches that we play.”
Salah’s hat-trick… City’s stability.
Regarding Salah’s hat-trick against Rangers, he pointed out: “This type of player always scores goals, even if they are not at their best level, because they have quality.”
And the Manchester City coach continued: “Liverpool scored 7 goals in the last game, as we faced Liverpool a lot, and Mohamed Salah always scored and we know that.”
On the stability of City’s level compared to Liverpool, he said: “This is our biggest achievement as a team. A few months ago, Liverpool was competing for a unique position in English football.”
He concluded: “They had the most shots and possession and lost (the Champions League final against Real Madrid), this is the same team and coach, things change.”
