City ‘won’t make same mistake next season’

PEP Guardiola and his players will not allow Liverpool to open up another huge gap in next season’s Premier League title race.

That’s the prediction of former City midfielder Stephen Ireland, who says the way Jurgen Klopp’s team has romped to the title has been a ‘lesson’ which the Blues have had to learn the hard way.

Liverpool clinched the crown with seven games to go, which is a record, and prevented City from claiming a hat-trick of titles.

The two clubs meet tomorrow when the Blues will give a guard of honour to the new champions, which will serve as another sharp reminder.

But Ireland, who played 176 games for the club from 2005 to 2010, thinks this season has been a one-off.

“It’s been a bit of a rebuilding year - David Silva is on his way out, Vincent Kompany left and they didn’t quite replace him,” he said.

“It’s been an eye-opener just how much work has to be done now throughout this summer period.

“As Liverpool are pushing on, that gap was getting bigger and bigger and bigger, and City struggled to haul it back.

“I can’t see the gap being this big again next year.

“I don’t see Guardiola allowing it to happen, the players will want it as well.

“It’s been a bit of a lesson for everybody.”

Liverpool now have their sights on City’s 100-point record haul, which they set in 2017-18, while the Blues will be defending that record, and seeking to restore some pride, when they face each other at the Etihad Stadium.

THERE was a noticeable improvement in City’s performance from the Premier League defeat at Chelsea to the FA Cup win at Newcastle in the past week.

Against the Londoners, the Blues gave their opponents two goals and were guilty of collectively switching off for periods.

At Newcastle, City’s pressure was relentless as they didn’t give the hosts a second on the ball, and should have scored more than their two goals.

After the game, Pep Guardiola offered an honest assessment of why City were more motivated at St James’ Park.

“After the defeat against Chelsea, now in the Premier League we are struggling to focus,” the manager said.

“We are close to getting Champions League [qualification], it’s not done but we are close, we need two victories. But of course there is a gap and it’s a little bit different.”

City’s players are only human, so it’s understandable that the imminent coronation of Liverpool would affect their performances.

Now that matter is sealed, though, they have plenty to motivate them for the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s men tomorrow night.

First, as Guardiola alluded to, City still need the points to secure Champions League qualification for next season.

Then, the Blues will want to show Liverpool they are still capable of beating them.

After a season where Klopp’s side have looked invincible, it would be a massive confidence boost going into