Pep Guardiola press conference LIVE: Manchester City team news ahead of clash with Liverpool

Pep Guardiola has finished his press conference. 

Guardiola: "I did not expect it, I am not irritated but I thought he was not that type of guy. Maybe I was wrong."

Guardiola: "Of course it would be important [go ten points ahead]. It is so important to beat them but what I want to see is my team to go to Anfield to WIN the game. We have not had exceptional results there but we have played well under circumstances."

Guardiola: "We didn't forget but of course they have forgot about it. It was a challenge and nothing is easy in this world. There are many people suffering more than us, we are incredibly fortunate. When you have cases of COVID in the beginning and the Everton game, it is difficult. It has happened to many clubs around the world. You can't look back."

Guardiola: "He is so intelligent, so clever. Intelligence means solving problems and actions during the game and he sorts them properly. That is why he is a top class player."

Guardiola: "I am going to confess something, one game at a time from 2007 or 2008. It is not a surprise, it is not news. It is just three more points." 

Guardiola: "It is always a top team, tough squad. They know the process, skills, methodology and routines they do. They rest really well against Brighton, they recover and they will be ready."

"They are one of them [main title rivals]. From my experience in January, there is no team off the race."

Guardiola on Everton game called off being used against them: "Jurgen has to see the calendar again, we had COVID, we had one week and we played with 14 players at Stamford Bridge. Tomorrow when I see Jurgen I will say to him 'how many days did we have off?'"

"I didn't expect that sort of comment from him."

Guardiola: "Always hard to play Liverpool, top club, top backroom staff. Always difficult to play Liverpool."

Guardiola: "I don't make predictions about the future. I'm so good but not to anticipate the future. Maybe in the future I will get it but right now I am not good enough [to see the future]."

Guardiola: "The game is to win, three points. It is not how many years or centuries. It is another football game."

Guardiola: "Sergio, Kevin, Nathan not available. The rest are fit."

Quotes to follow...

Hoping to hear from him soon. 

After managing Ilkay Gundogan at Dortmund, Klopp was keen to praise the City midfielder after his recent performances: "One of the best players I coached [Gundogan]. Especially in the 2012 season, playing like he is now. Had injuries, but all sorted and it is the longest uninterrupted period for him. I am not surprised at all [by his form]."

The Liverpool boss also had praise for Ruben Dias: "You talk about a centre-back, that's not nice! A good player, come on, City are a good team. Good business, compared with Virgil? You can compare. Outstanding footballer."

City have the chance to go ten points clear of the current champions, Liverpool, with a game in hand. 

 

Guardiola's side are currently enjoying a 13 game win streak in all competitions. The manager was asked after the Burnley victory if they can get even better. Guardiola said: "Can we improve? A lot."

Good afternoon and welcome to VAVEL UK's live coverage of Pep Guardiola's press conference ahead of his side's fixture against Liverpool on Sunday.