Pep Guardiola was left in disbelief that Manchester City were able to build such a big lead over Liverpool earlier this season.
Guardiola was previewing the massive game between the teams this weekend for mancity.com.
During the interview the City boss claimed that he ‘couldn’t believe’ that his team were able to lead the Premier League by 14 points over Liverpool.
“When we were 14 points ahead of Liverpool even myself I could not believe it,” said Pep. “Because I know the incredible opponent we have to face. One of the best teams in Europe.
“The reality is one point right now, this is the normal reality. It’s an honour to be there to fight to win the Premier League.”
Liverpool have managed to eat away at City’s lead over the last couple of months. As Pep says, a meagre one point is now the difference ahead of Sunday’s meeting at the Etihad.
Pep praises Liverpool
It wasn’t the only praise that Guardiola sent Liverpool’s way during the interview. The 51-year-old also commended how The Reds, along with his City team, have raised the bar in the Premier League over recent years.
“What is sure in Liverpool and City in the last years, we raised the bar and raised the targets that the Premier League had before,” he siad.
“The other teams realised they had to push more if they want to chase us. In the last five or six years, one year we were a little bit out, last year they had injuries and United was there. Both teams for 5-6 years we were there both teams, fighting.”
There is clearly huge respect from Guardiola for what Jurgen Klopp has done at Liverpool. That respect is reciprocated by the Liverpool boss who recently said it was ‘a real joy’ to watch City play.
Worthy adversaries go toe-to-toe
It’s fitting that the points difference between the teams is so slender as they prepare to clash this weekend.
Despite the fact that City have often come out on top when it comes to winning trophies, there really is so little to choose between them.
Klopp and Guardiola are arguably the best two coaches on the planet, and two of the very best in football history. Both squads are packed full of talent, too.
It could be a tight and tense game on Sunday as top-of-the-table battles so often are. But with two managers who love free-flowing, attacking football, it could also be a high-scoring rollercoaster of a game.
Credit goes to both teams for pushing each other to greater heights. It’s brilliant to see Liverpool going toe-to-toe with a financial juggernaut like City. Fingers crossed The Reds can justify Guardiola’s praise with a top performance and a win in Manchester.
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