Pep Guardiola has claimed that Jurgen Klopp’s players will be feeling the pressure as his side prepare to take on Liverpool on Sunday.
As quoted by mancity.com, Guardiola says that Liverpool will know how hard Manchester City had to work to beat Burnley on Saturday.
“Of course, the players feel it but Liverpool feel it too. They know how hard we have fought and how tough the opponent is,” he said.
The City boss also claimed that he was more worried about facing Burnley than the prospect of coming up against Liverpool at the weekend.
“(I was a) little worried about this game more than Liverpool. I know it’s Liverpool but (we had) just one training session,” said Guardiola.
Liverpool travel to Lisbon while City stay home
It was great that Liverpool were able to put the pressure on City with a win early on Saturday. But Guardiola’s team responded with a comfortable victory of their own.
Both teams now have a Champions League quarter-final to contend with. Eyes will then turn to the big one on Sunday.
In terms of travel, the draw has favoured City slightly. Pep’s team play Atletico Madrid in Manchester on Tuesday night whilst Liverpool take on Benfica in Lisbon at the same time.
It may only be a small thing, but the teams are so evenly matched. Travel time is the kind of little margin that can end up making a difference.
A big week ahead
The Reds can’t afford to go into the game at the Estadio Da Luz with anything other than full throttle.
There’s no question that Klopp’s side were handed a favourable draw against the Portuguese giants. But Benfica will smell the chance to cause an upset if Liverpool have one eye on The Etihad.
The Lisbon club were afforded an extra day’s rest by playing on Friday night against Braga. However, they lost that game 3-2 and now sit 12 points behind leaders Porto with six games of the season left.
With the league title well and truly gone, they are comfortably clear of Braga for the last Champions League spot. They can therefore put everything they have into aiming to knock Klopp’s favourites out.
It’s the kind of week that football fans live for. Liverpool’s season could crumble if results go against them.
For sure there’s huge pressure, but Liverpool’s squad is packed with world class competitors. Rather than wilt, they’ll be relishing the chance to take their season to even greater heights this week.
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