LONDON • Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola does not believe Liverpool's recent stumbles in the Premier League title race have been the result of mounting pressure applied by his side.
While Liverpool will still have a game in hand after this weekend's round of matches, back-to-back league draws against Leicester and West Ham have allowed the champions right back into the race.
But at a press conference ahead of today's league game with Chelsea at home, the City boss felt the Reds were not going to buckle and would "be there till the end".
He said: "Liverpool are exceptional, I don't have the feeling (that there are nerves), (Jurgen) Klopp, Virgil van Dijk (don't) feel the pressure, (Roberto) Firmino, (Mohamed) Salah, (Sadio) Mane.
"I feel they play good and try to win the games, (so) we have to be there to win our games."
Such is the embarrassment of riches at his disposal that he will have the luxury of recalling Kevin de Bruyne against his former club today, after leaving the player on the bench at Everton in midweek.
Although de Bruyne came on late to set up Gabriel Jesus' second goal in their 2-0 win, Guardiola is wary of overplaying his side's Player of the Year last season after two long injury layoffs this campaign.
Asked whether de Bruyne, 27, would again be named as a substitute, he confirmed "it was quite possible" before hinting that the player, who has started only four league games this term, had dropped down the pecking order.
He added: "At the end, we judge the players for who they are, but they are there to perform.
"There are times when teammates are in better condition. In football, what you have done in the past, you have to do again in future.
"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 is expected to continue to deputise at left-back against Maurizio Sarri's men today, as first-choice Benjamin Mendy has played just 27 minutes of football since Nov 11.
Guardiola conceded that it could yet be some time before Mendy, who also spent most of last season on the sidelines, returns to full match fitness.
The 48-year-old said: "He's injured, it's not easy, (the) meniscus (issue). 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."
Mendy had nearly earned Guardiola's ire after the 24-year-old put up an Instagram post indicating he was in Hong Kong, despite telling his manager he was going to Paris.
While he later clarified on Twitter it had been a joke, he continued to post memes of his whereabouts and a picture yesterday, which apparently indicated he was in Dubai.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
MAN CITY V CHELSEA
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, 11.55pm
BARCELONA: Lionel Messi received his record fifth Golden Shoe award for leading all of Europe's football leagues in scoring last season. Messi's fifth win breaks the tie he had with Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi scored 34 goals in La Liga last season to lead Barcelona to the title. Liverpool forward
Messi claims record 5th Golden Shoe - sportskeeda.com
Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel says it will be 'super difficult' for Neymar to be fit for their Champions League tie against Manchester United next month. The Brazilian superstar suffered a fractured metatarsal against Strasbourg in the French Cup on Wednesday night.
UEFA Champions League: 'Super difficult' for Neymar to be fit
Olympiakos dumped AC Milan out of the Europa League on Thursday after beating the seven-time European champions 3-1 in a pulsating clash in Greece, while Eintracht Frankfurt fans ran riot during
Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian captain Thiago Silva has been granted French citizenship, he announced on Twitter on Friday. Continue reading PSG captain Thiago Silva receives French citizenship at Vanguard News Nigeria.
The Asian Football Confederation announced Tuesday that for the first time an all-female referee team will take charge of a men's continental club cup clash. Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita and assistants Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi will officiate the AFC Cup match between Myanmar's Yangon United and Cambodia's Naga World at the
History made as women to referee men's AFC Cup | Football
Our Tampines Hub a hotbed of passion as football fans throng the venue to catch Champions League final screening Singapore's football fans create an electrifying atmosphere at Our Tampines Hub for
Our Tampines Hub to screen Champions League showdown on
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool players needed hammer to 'punch the smile' off their faces after Barcelona win Written by: fpnews Posted on: May 10, 2019 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called on his team to focus on the "big moment" of playing for the Premier League title on Sunday and put aside the success of reaching the Champions
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool players needed hammer to 'punch
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Watford - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 9, 2019 Manchester City's Sergio Aguero misses a chance to score Action Images via Reute
Man City surge clear through Sterling as Spurs suffer
Jose Mourinho says his struggles at Manchester United were down to the "players, organisation and ambition" of the club as he denied suggestions Paul Pogba was to blame for his sacking.
At Manchester United, Jose Mourinho Could No Longer Hide
Rosell, his wife and four others, were accused of "large-scale money laundering" of close to 20 million euros ($23 million) since 2006, relating Spain court acquits former FC Barcelona president
Spain court acquits former Barcelona president of money
Shellshocked Madrid knocked out of Champions League by brilliant Ajax The humiliating defeat completed a miserable week for Real, who have monopolised the competition since 2016 and are now
Shell-shocked Real Madrid knocked out of UEFA Champions
Spurs boss Pochettino charged by FA with improper conduct Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was Monday charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his side's defeat
Spurs boss Pochettino charged by FA with improper conduct
PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel has admitted Neymar is unlikely to be fit in time for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester United next month.
Neymar: 'Super difficult' for PSG forward to be fit to face
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar