‘EVERYONE in this country supports Liverpool’: Pep Guardiola makes astonishing claim that the whole nation is against Man City in the Premier League title race, after they went three points clear
- Manchester City moved three points clear of Liverpool after beating Newcastle
- But Pep Guardiola has claimed the entire country wants the Reds to win the title
- City will lift yet another trophy if they win their remaining three league matches
- And manager Guardiola believes that scenario would upset the whole nation
Pep Guardiola claimed the entire country want Liverpool to win the Premier League title.
Manchester City went three points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s side by hammering Newcastle United 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
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 nation.
Pep Guardiola believes the entire country want Liverpool to win the Premier League title
Manchester City moved three points clear at the top of the table after they beat Newcastle 5-0
‘Everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone,’ Guardiola said.
‘Because Liverpool have an incredible history in European competitions. Not in Premier Leagues, because they have won one in 30 years.
‘But I don’t care. People want Liverpool to win more than us. They have more supporters around the world and in England more support Liverpool than us.’
Guardiola confirmed that defenders Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker will play no further part in the title run-in.
Guardiola claimed Liverpool have more supporters, and has hailed their ‘incredible history’
Dias was forced off at half-time at the Etihad Stadium with a muscular problem, joining Stones and Walker, who were already sidelined with thigh and ankle injuries respectively, on the casualty list.
Guardiola said: ‘Ruben, Kyle and John are out for the end of the season. Next pre-season maybe they will be ready.’
City had been given the opportunity to earn some breathing space at the top of the table after quadruple-chasing Liverpool were held to a draw by Tottenham on Saturday.
City were impressive as they swept Newcastle aside in a superb response to their heartbreaking Champions League semi-final loss to Real Madrid in midweek.
Ruben Dias (right) was forced off at half-time and will miss the final three games of the season
Raheem Sterling struck twice while Rodri, Aymeric Laporte and Phil Foden also got on the scoresheet.
‘I am very pleased,’ said Guardiola, whose side now travel to Wolves on Wednesday. ‘It was a perfect afternoon.
‘Just before the start of the game I felt the crowd were disappointed but not grumpy or upset about who we are as a team.
‘What we have done today we have done the last five years every three days. Three more points, three games left, one competition to play.
Guardiola said he was pleased with how his side responded after losing to Real Madrid
‘We have big problems at the back because we have just three defenders for these three games but we are going to try to do it.
‘Wednesday becomes absolutely a final, final, final for us. If we are able to win maybe we are able to arrive in the last game, at home, with our people and try to make back-to-back (titles).
‘Still, of course, everything can happen in football. If it can happen in 56 seconds three days ago it can happen in three games.’