COMMUNITY SHIELD WINNING PREM IS STILL MY No.1 AIM
Pep won’t take risks for Europe
Given the club’s trophy-laden history – 65 leagues and cups – the seven-year shortage of silverware was a sore point.
But this week they have the chance to add two more to their honours board – with today’s Community Shield at Wembley preceding Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup final.
Carragher said: “Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool players have said this is only the start. But they are words. Actions speak louder.
“The top six in the Premier League is so competitive. Still, this could be the start of something great for Liverpool, because they have a great team and manager.
“I just don’t see any other team other than Liverpool who can stop City dominating. The others are all in rebuilding mode. Arsenal, United and Chelsea will battle for the top four and Tottenham could be closer than last season, but it’s Liverpool who will be closest.”
Carragher added: “If Jurgen won the league there is no doubt he would be remembered like Shankly and Paisley. He is almost a God in Liverpool now. But when you talk about their levels he would need a title to be in that ballpark.”
Jamie
Steve Bates
PEP GUARDIOLA is refusing to gamble everything on winning the Champions League this season.
The Manchester City boss accept his stars won’t get the all plaudits until they have won the top prize – despite back-to-back Premier Leagues and records galore along the way.
City’s Abu Dhabi bosses are desperate to be Kings of Europe but Guardiola insists he’d rather win the Premier League title for a third successive time.
“I would sign right now to do what we have done last season again, not win the Champions League and win four titles again in a season,” he said.
Awesome
“I am pretty sure it is not going to happen but it was really good. It was awesome what my players did. And I think my colleagues, football players worldwide, they know how difficult it is, what these guys have done last season.
“To be remembered outside England maybe you have to win in Europe. It’s seven knockout games. That is fair. It’s an important tournament and difficult to win.
“But I am not going to go to the casino and gamble everything I have on seven games. I don’t want that. I want to be happy for 11 months. The Premier League makes me happy. Every game, and the cups. When we win I am happy after them.
“I work better with my players, so why am I going to wait until February for seven games and put everything on black? That is too risky.
“You have to handle it but to maintain the health and focus of the team, it’s the Premier League. That is always the most important thing, the standout competition.”
Nominated
Guardiola is astonished that after winning the domestic Treble none of his stars – especially Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva ( left) – were nominated on the recently announced shortlist for the Best FIFA Football Awards.
“I don’t think one player made a better season than Bernardo Silva last season for example, even winning with Portugal,” he said the Blues coach (right).
“But this club in eight years won four Premier Leagues so it is quite remarkable that never in these seasons is one of our players nominated the best in the league. Never.”
Richard Dunne has backed Guardiola to keep City’s season on track in the absence of former skipper Vincent Kompany.
The Irishman, who preceded Kompany as captain, said: “Vincent’s leadership will be missed but I don’t think the club will be damaged because they have Pep and everyone knows he is driving the whole thing.”
City have informed the flying forward and his advisers he is free to leave if their demands are met.
But Sane has not yet told the