Pep Guardiola Reflects on City’s Anfield Defeat and Struggles to Reignite Title Hopes
Manchester City‘s 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield dealt a significant blow to their Premier League title defense. Goals from Cody Gakpo and a Mo Salah penalty highlighted City’s ongoing struggles, leaving them 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool and marking their fourth consecutive league defeat.
Despite the setback, Pep Guardiola remained candid and reflective, addressing the challenges his side faces.
Guardiola on the Game and Liverpool’s Strength
“First, we congratulate Liverpool for a well-deserved victory,” Guardiola began. “The first 15-20 minutes, we experienced what we’ve faced many times coming here, even in our prime. We suffered, and they deserved the goal.”
Guardiola acknowledged City’s struggles to compete with Liverpool’s pace and strength. “We know when Liverpool lose the ball, they immediately contact Salah, Luiz, or Gakpo. They are so fast, quicker, and stronger than us in those situations.”
On City’s Current Struggles
Reflecting on City’s form, Guardiola admitted: “Defensively, we are not solid enough right now—not just today, but for a few games. We still don’t have the attacking threat we’ve always had as a team. Kevin [De Bruyne] had a chance at 0-1, and maybe the game changes, but the reality is clear. We need to recover.”
He added: “I know the situation is tough in terms of results, but the team gave everything. Players like Ruben [Dias] and Nathan [Ake] returning from injury give me hope. Nathan controlled Salah well in duels, but it’s a collective issue.”
Rebuilding Confidence
Guardiola expressed optimism despite the challenges: “Call me delusional, but I have the feeling that from here we will start to rebuild, win games, and regain confidence. It’s December, not the end of the season, so there’s time for drastic changes.”
He stressed the importance of focusing on one game at a time, adding: “Our target cannot be talking about titles now. All we can do is congratulate Liverpool and learn from them.”
Responding to Anfield Taunts
Liverpool fans taunted Guardiola with chants of “sacked in the morning” as City’s struggles continued. In response, Guardiola held up six fingers, symbolizing the six Premier League titles he has won with City.
“Maybe I deserve to be sacked with these results,” he quipped. “But I’m proud of those six titles, especially considering the battles we’ve had with Jurgen [Klopp] and Liverpool. This season is tough, but those experiences were unforgettable.”
On the Midfield’s Effort and Physical Battles
Guardiola praised his players for stepping up in challenging roles. “Bernardo, Manu, and Rico played in positions they’re not used to, facing physical players like Gravenberch and Szoboszlai. They made an incredible effort. Kevin’s rhythm is improving, and Jack in midfield is helping us with control and vision.”
Personal Reflections and Future Outlook
Reflecting on the current adversity, Guardiola remained philosophical. “Life isn’t perfect, and neither is football. When we were winning, I was grateful. Now, I’m not depressed because things are tough. I want to find solutions with this group of players who have given me the best years of my managerial life.”
He concluded with resolve: “We’ve lost six or seven games, which is a lot, but this is reality. The only way forward is to work hard, make adjustments, and rebuild. This team and this club have my full belief, and we’ll fight to improve.”
City now turn their attention to their next match against Nottingham Forest, as they seek to end their winless run and begin the long road back to title contention.
