Liverpool priority for Guardiola as City close on title
MANCHESTER City manager Pep Guardiola claimed his focus is on the club’s twolegged Champions League quarter-final tie with Liverpool even though it could be crowned Premier League champion against Manchester United next weekend.
City eased to a 3-1 win over Everton yesterday courtesy of goals from Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling and were good value for their victory even though Yannick Bolasie pulled a goal back for the Toffees. City’s focus will now switch to the first leg of their Champions League tie against Liverpool on Thursday morning before a mouthwatering opportunity to wrap up the title against the Red Devils at the Etihad Stadium.
And Guardiola preferred to look at the bigger picture and refused to indulge in what it would mean to beat United to clinch the league.
“I understand people are going to talk about United but now all the decisions are about Liverpool,” Guardiola said.
“But now we are closer than ever. We have one game to win. If we are not able to win, we have six more chances. We are so, so close and so happy with the performance.
“Now it is one more game and we will be champions. For the fans it is significant. It is special. It is important we win - no matter where. Of course the most important thing is these two games
“We have to go to Anfield with good feelings. Now we have a few days to prepare for this game.”
For Guardiola’s entertainers to do it against Jose Mourinho’s side would provide an appropriate signature moment and possibly the standout memory of a team with the potential to emerge as one of English football’s greatest.
The football City has played in this campaign has been simply breathless in its quality and the current 16-point advantage over second-placed United is in no way flattering.
Before this game, City had not played since a 2-0 win over Stoke on March 12 and Guardiola had been concerned whether his side would be a little rusty.
“We were a long time without being together,” Guardiola explained.
“And I didn’t want to play with seven, eight, nine players going to play Wednesday without four weeks playing together.
“We needed to play together to find our pace.”