Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola appears to have admitted defeat in the Premier League title race.
The Citizens are already 14 points off league leaders Liverpool just 16 games into the season.
After falling to defeat in the Manchester derby this weekend Guardiola was refreshingly honest in his post-match interview.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said. “We have to improve and accept it and move forward. [Manchester] United have the quality to defend and the quality to attack on the counter-attack and you have to accept that.
“That is the level we face against Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus. They are the teams we have to face, and the reality is maybe we are not able now to compete with them. Maybe we need to live that as a club to improve, to accept the reality now and improve.”
“The reality is we are 14 points behind for the mistakes we have done, for the quality of our opponents and especially, as well, the things we cannot control. That is the reality, but we have to continue.
Manchester City could find themselves even further off the top of the table by Christmas. Guardiola and co face both Arsenal and Brendan Rodgers in-form Leicester side in the next couple of weeks.
However the Spanish manager is not one to give up. He’s likely just trying to take the pressure off his side by playing down their chances in the media. I’m sure deep down he and his players still think Liverpool are catchable.
Jurgen Klopp will be aware of that and ensure complacency doesn’t become an issue at Anfield. Especially with the Foxes in sensational form and breathing down our neck.
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