Premier League: Pep Guardiola confident of Manchester City's title challenge
What's the story
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed confidence in his team's ability to compete for the title this season, following their emphatic 3-0 victory over defending Premier League champions Liverpool. The win at the Etihad Stadium was a major boost for City, who now sit second in the league table, four points behind leaders Arsenal. This comes after a 13-point gap from Liverpool last season.
Post-match remarks
We are ready to be there with them this season
After the match, Guardiola emphasized the importance of self-belief and resilience. "I said to the players, 'Don't do it because yesterday Arsenal didn't win, do it because we believe in ourselves that we can play against the champions of England and show they we are ready to be there with him this season," Guardiola told Sky Sports. Guardiola was particularly pleased with his team's performance in the first half of the match. "Today we proved it, we did it - especially in the first half."
Title challenge
Liverpool can't think about the title race
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted that his side can't think about the title race until they fix their current issues. The Reds have lost five of their last 11 league games and are now eight points off the pace. Slot is still trying to integrate summer signings into his squad, with indications of a regression from last season's league-winning side.
Game events
Slot accepts being 2-0 down at half-time
Despite missing an early penalty, Erling Haaland put City ahead in the 29th minute with a header. Virgil van Dijk looked to have leveled for Liverpool but Andy Robertson was ruled offside when he ducked out of his header's path, blocking Gianluigi Donnarumma. Slot said it was "obvious and clear the wrong decision has been made" but accepted that being 2-0 down at half-time reflected how the game went.
Game strategy
City's attacking prowess on display in dominant win over Liverpool
Guardiola's side showed their attacking prowess with a brilliant move leading to Haaland's header. The first goal came from a glorious sequence of passes that cut through Liverpool's defense. City continued to dominate the game, with Nico Gonzalez's deflected shot making it 2-0 just before half-time. Jeremy Doku sealed the win in the second half, showing City's strength and depth under Guardiola.
1,000
Pep Guardiola wins in his 1,000th managerial game
Guardiola featured in his 1,000th match as a manager. Since starting his managerial journey with Barcelona B in 2007, Guardiola has achieved everything. He also managed Barcelona and Bayern Munich before joining Manchester City in 2016. He has won 716 matches and drawn another 156 games besides losing 128. This was his 550th match as Man City manager (W388, D79, L83).