Guardiola hails Aguero as City ‘legend’
WATFORD: Pep Guardiola wants Manchester City to pay tribute to Sergio Aguero when the Argentine “legend” becomes their record goalscorer.
Aguero grabbed a hat-trick in City’s 6-0 rout of Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday and stands just two goals behind Eric Brook’s all-time mark of 177 in the 1920s and 1930s.
City boss Guardiola believes it is now simply a question of when, not if, Aguero claims the record as his own and he hopes his club mark the occasion in style.
“Sergio now needs three goals to beat the record. It will be soon,” he said. “Hopefully we can make a good celebration because he’s a legend, a part of the history of the club. That’s good for him.”
Guardiola also paid tribute to Aguero’s unselfishness after disobeying Guardiola’s orders to allow Raheem Sterling to take the 89th-minute penalty which completed the rout of Watford.
“Sergio showed again what a good guy he is. I like penalties to be taken by the penalty taker, but I understand that Raheem created the penalty and it was with my blessing that Sergio gave it to him when it is already 0-5,” Guardiola said.
Gabriel Jesus and Nicolas Otamendi were City’s other goalscorers as they leapt over Manchester neighbours United to the top of the Premier League table.
Unlike last season when his side’s thrilling start to the campaign saw them win 10 straight games in all competitions only to end the season without a trophy, Guardiola believes his side are better equipped to maintain their form in this campaign.
“I think we are more stable now. The players know me better, I know them better. The fundamentals are the same as last season but we have good players and a good spirit,” he said.
Meanwhile Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp admitted his side must improve defensively after more problems at the back cost them two home points in a 1-1 draw with Burnley.
Liverpool dominated against Sean Dyche’s team but had to come from behind with Mohamed Salah rescuing a point for Klopp after mistakes had gifted Scott Arfield the opening goal for the visitors.
“It feels strange, it feels wrong but it is a fact we drew,” said Klopp. “A lot of parts of the game I was really happy with. We made seven changes but we were still really fluent, offensive football, dominant football.
“We created a finishing situation often enough, it could have been more often. It was a very disciplined performance from the opponent but also disciplined from my side.
“It was a disciplined performance but just that one goal. This is where we have to improve.”