Pep Guardiola said that “everyone in this country supports Liverpool” after his team from Manchester City beat Newcastle 5-0 on Sunday and overtook three points at the top of the Premier League.
The convincing victory of the Etihad Stadium followed the elimination of Liverpool’s points in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham.
Guardiola also confirmed that neither Kyle Walker, Jones Stones, nor Ruben Diaz, who was forced to drop out at halftime due to a muscle problem, will be fit for his last three games of the season. As Nathan Ake is battling an ankle problem, the Man City boss said he has “three defenders for three games”.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of Manchester City’s Premier League victory over Newcastle.
The Spaniard also claims that his country is not a popular choice when it comes to deciding who will win the title.
“Everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone,” Guardiola told beIN Sports to mark his fourth Premier League victory in five years.
May 10, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Start at 8 p.m.
“Of course, because Liverpool has an incredible history in the European competition. Not in the Premier League, because they won one every 30 years, but that’s not a problem at all.
“The situation is as it is. We have to take nine points, maybe six, depending on the next two games in terms of goal difference.
Image: Ruben Diaz will miss the final matches of Manchester City season 2021/22
“Now Wednesday is the real end for us, our destiny is in our hands and that’s important, that’s the reality.”
City travel to the Wolves on Wednesday before facing a trip to West Ham on Sunday with two live matches on Sky Sports. Liverpool could close the gap on Tuesday as they go to Aston Villa in front of Sky Sports cameras before playing Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Wednesday, May 11, 8:00 p.m. Start 8:15 p.m.
“Liverpool is next [Manchester] United as the most important team in terms of titles, heritage, history, drama for many, many things, “added Guardiola.
“But we’ve been there for the last 11 or 12 years. I know we’re uncomfortable sometimes, but I don’t care if people want Liverpool to win more than us. That’s not a problem.”
Guardiola will be left without defender Walker after being sent off in the second half of Wednesday’s Champions League loss to Real Madrid due to new ankle problems, while central defender Stones has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.
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Man City boss Pep Guardiola said he had no doubt his team would recover from their disappointment with the Champions League in the middle of the week after beating Newcastle 5-0 to return to the top of the Premier League.
Speaking at a post-match press conference, Guardiola said: “Ruben, Kyle and John are out until the end of the season.”
Fernandinho, who is leaving City at the end of the season, replaced Diaz in the victory over Newcastle and asked how decisive the 37-year-old is now, Guardiola said:
“It’s not a problem in this situation, Rodry can play there. We have the academy. Everyone has to do extra. Thirteen and a half players for these matches and everyone has to do more and more to help our absence. We arrive with problems and that’s it. Fernandinho did well and we will do it. “
Man City’s last Premier League games
Wednesday – Wolves Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 15 – West Ham Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 22 – Aston Villa (h) Premier League
Liverpool match schedule:
Tuesday – Aston Villa (a) Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 14 – FA Cup final for Chelsea (Wembley).
May 17 – Southampton Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 22 – Wolves (h) Premier League
May 28 – Real Madrid Champions League final
Nev: Protection of the city “erased” Increasing Liverpool’s chances
Speaking in a Gary Neville podcast:
“With an injured Diaz, they go to teams that have a game system that can hurt Man City. I believe the Wolves or West Ham can shock them. Both teams had good seasons. They are uncomfortable.
“City will have to be the best, as their partnership with central defenders has been erased.
“The injury is a boost to Liverpool’s chances. I think there is something left in this race for the title. It will not come to an end.”
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Analysis: Man City are still in full control of the title race
Adam Bate of Sky Sports:
Asked on Friday afternoon what answer he expects from his players after their elimination from the Champions League by Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports: “I think we will perform well. I know we will play as we are. We will try to win the match, to play the best, that’s for sure. “
There were some anxious moments in the beginning and who knows what weaknesses could be revealed if Chris Wood did better with a free kick from close range in eight minutes. But what followed was an exhibition that highlighted why City is on top again.
With Jack Grillish and Joao Cancello providing the width, Rahim Stirling brought the cut, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan sprayed the ball around the Etihad. Even when the pace slowed in the second half, Newcastle was too much to handle.
The mood in the stands, supportive from the start, seemed to be helped by Anfield’s result the night before. This knowledge that City are no longer in a win or relegation scenario took some of the sting out of the match and gave them some leeway.
That was all they needed. The away matches against the Wolves and West Ham may not be clear. But four points from those two games will be enough to ensure that City can return here on the last day, knowing that victory will guarantee them the title.
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