You all want Liverpool to win, says Pep

PEP GUARDIOLA last night claimed everyone wants Liverpool to win the Premier League title instead of Manchester City. And he stoked the fires with the Anfield club by referencing the fact they have only won one top-flight title in three decades. His team went three points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s men by hammering Newcastle 5-0 at the Etihad yesterday. With Liverpool dropping two points against Tottenham on Saturday, the defending champions will lift a fourth title in five years if they win their remaining three matches — starting at Wolves on Wednesday — and Guardiola believes that will upset the neutrals. ‘Everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone,’ said Guardiola as City bounced back from a nightmare Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. ‘Of course, because Liverpool has an incredible history in European competitions. Not in Premier Leagues, because they’ve won one in 30 years, but it’s not a problem at all. ‘I know we are sometimes uncomfortable (for people), but I don’t care. The people want Liverpool to win more than us; it’s not an issue. It’s normal. Maybe they have more supporters all around the world and in England maybe more support Liverpool than us.’ Guardiola was also left with more injury issues last night after ruling out a trio of firstchoice defenders for the final three games of the title race. Ruben Dias limped out at half-time yesterday after suffering a hamstring problem, and Guardiola confirmed that Dias, Kyle Walker and John Stones will play no further part this season as City look to stave off Liverpool. Nathan Ake was named on the bench yesterday but his persistent ankle problem is likely to see him miss the Wolves game, described by Guardiola as a ‘final final’. Club captain Fernandinho is set to deputise. ‘We have 13-and-a-half players available for these games, no more than that,’ he said. ‘When that happens, everyone has to do more and more to help with the absence. It is what it is. We arrive with problems and that’s all. But, honestly, in this situation it’s not a problem. If Rodri has to play in that position, he will play. Everyone has to do extra.’ Guardiola added that yesterday was a ‘perfect afternoon’ as City emphatically responded to their dramatic collapse at Real Madrid last week, while Rodri praised the team’s mental fortitude. ‘The Champions League was like a war, a big battle in the brain,’ the midfielder said. ‘You keeping thinking about what happened. It’s tough. You wait eight months for the moment to arrive and then in the last minute it is gone. We showed the personality we have in the team. ‘We had to wake up because we have another title to fight for. Emotionally, this is a vital win.’ Guardiola (below) claimed that the much-maligned atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium went up several notches yesterday. ‘In the locker room, most of the time with the players we talk about our away fans being really good. Sometimes I say to the players we have to play good to lift our (home) fans, to let the opponent feel that here is not a nice place to come,’ he said. ‘But today we didn’t need to make a good performance or good actions to do that.’ Meanwhile, Eddie Howe believes Newcastle must look towards trying to bridge the gap to City and Liverpool. ‘City can do that to

anybody, they’re that good,’ he said. ‘It’s a huge gap. We have to try and close that and that’s through evolution not revolution. We’re looking to improve in every transfer window but it’s got to be small, gradual steps.’