NO THRILL OF GLORY CHASE FOR WARY PEP
PEP GUARDIOLA has no idea if his Manchester City players can handle the pressure of catching Liverpool in the title race.
A win for Jurgen Klopp’s men at the Etihad tonight would see them do the double over City and open up a 10-point lead at the top of the table.
Losing is not an option for the defending champs as they look to hunt down and overhaul the Reds.
The pressure is all on City and Guardiola admits he doesn’t know how his superstars will deal with having to catch a team above them.
After cruising to the title last season with a record 100 points the Spaniard said: “If it is different pressure then we have to live it.
“We have to handle it. Maybe people expected we would always be top but we are Manchester City, we are not Liverpool or Manchester United.
“In that situation it is BY JEREMY CROSS quite usual in the history. That is why it is nice after what we have achieved in the last decade to still be up there. Honestly, I don’t know if we can handle the pressure. That’s the point.
“What do I think? Yes, we are ready. I don’t have doubts – but honestly I don’t know. I have a game in my mind, I know what we want to do. I will speak with the players. But I am not good enough to anticipate what is going to happen.
“The reality is clear, we are seven points down. It is a big opportunity for us to reduce the gap.”
Guardiola, who is set to have Kevin de Bruyne fit again following a muscle strain, admits he lives for big games like these.
He added: “It’s an incredible pleasure. I’m a manager to play these games on the big stage. It’s a dream to play these games. It’s when I’m most calm, more relaxed.”