Guardiola: It’s such a big test of character

PEP GUARDIOLA claims tomorrow’s trip to Liverpool will be one of the biggest tests of Manchester City’s title push. City hold a commanding 15-point lead at the top of the table and head to Anfield with the aim of preserving their unbeaten domestic run this season. Guardiola’s side, who are on course to match Arsenal’s Invincibles of 2003-04 by going the Premier League season unbeaten, have won at Chelsea and Manchester United this term. With new £75million signing Virgil van Dijk on board and a front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, Guardiola knows Jurgen Klopp’s side have what it takes to end City’s unbeaten run. “For us it’s a real test at Anfield, at one of the most prestigious stadiums and teams in the world,” said Guardiola.

“If you want to achieve something good or win titles, you have to not just win, you have to win on these kind of stages.

“We did it at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford (Otamendi celebrating his winner, above), but we still have to go to Anfield, the Emirates Stadium and Wembley.

“We still have tough teams to face so there’s a lot to do. It’s a good test for us to see how good we are.

“To see how we are when we arrive in the Champions League against Basel, in cup games and in finals, to see how our character is.

“Liverpool are in their best moment of the season, 17 games unbeaten, a really good team, van Dijk (below) has made them even better, both offensively and defensively.

“Jurgen is a coach who tries to go forward, to have no fear, to play with courage.

“That’s the way they play at Anfield and we have to defend. He’ll try to make it his own game and it will be good.”

City have won just twice at Anfield in the last 45 years but Guardiola said his rampant side will go there with the aim of securing a first win since 2003.

“I don’t believe in these kind of things, but twice in 45 years shows how difficult it is,” said Guardiola.

“But records are there to be broken, so maybe we can break that record.

“We have to see how our mentality is.”