Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has acknowledged that his side’s aspirations to win a fifth consecutive Premier League title could be shattered if they suffer another defeat to table-toppers Liverpool next Sunday.
Guardiola made the statement after watching his team endure a 4-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, marking their fifth defeat across all competitions and their third consecutive league defeat.
The loss leaves City with a daunting 11-point deficit behind Liverpool, who can extend their lead to eight points if they secure a victory against Southampton on Sunday.
In an interview with ESPN, Guardiola conceded that an 11-point gap would be difficult to close, even with the majority of the season still to play. “Yeah, it’s true,” he said when asked if the gap would be insurmountable. “We’re not thinking about winning or losing the title. We are not in the situation to think about what is going to happen at the end of the season.”
The City boss continued, “If in the end we don’t win it, it’s because we don’t deserve it. We won it in the past because we deserved it.”
Guardiola’s comments reflect the gravity of the situation for City, who, despite their past dominance, are now facing a significant challenge to retain their Premier League crown.
The defeat to Tottenham was another setback in a difficult stretch for City, raising concerns over their ability to maintain their competitive edge in the league.
As the pressure mounts, the upcoming match against Liverpool could prove crucial to Manchester City’s title hopes this season.
