Pep Guardiola refused to pass on any advice to his Manchester City players despite them showing yet more frailties ahead of their meeting with Liverpool.
The Reds host the defending Premier League champions at Anfield on Sunday, with Arne Slot’s side having the chance to go 11 points clear of their rivals. Confidence on Merseyside might never be higher either after City’s most recent showing.
Guardiola’s side threw away a 3-0 lead against Feyenoord – coincidentally, Slot’s former team – in the Champions League on Tuesday, with David Hancko completing a remarkable turnaround for the Rotterdam side at the Etihad.
City’s latest capitulation exposed yet more weaknesses, which Liverpool will no doubt be hoping to exploit at the weekend. Tuesday’s draw means they are still without a win from their last six games, having lost the previous five matches before facing Feyenoord.
The manner of his side’s submission clearly left Guardiola in some distress on the sidelines. The City boss could be seen frantically scratching his head in frustration, and even sported his battle scars after the game.
The former Barcelona boss though decided against passing on any advice to his players, despite perhaps their toughest test yet awaiting them this weekend.
“It was not necessary to say anything to (the players), they know it perfectly,” Guardiola said. “It is what it is, difficult to swallow now. We give away especially the first one and after we are not stable enough.”
Guardiola and City certainly find themselves in an unfamiliar position heading to Anfield on Sunday, having dominated English football over the last few years. They were even subjected to boos from their own supporters at full-time, demonstrating just how badly things have gone in recent weeks.
“They come here not to remember the success in the past, but to see the team win,” Guardiola said of the reaction from City’s supporters. “Of course they are completely right to express what they feel. Of course (they are) disappointed.”
Liverpool.com says: Liverpool fans will no doubt be enjoying this, but hopefully Arne Slot and his players aren’t getting too ahead of themselves. City clearly has problems, especially in defense, but they are still a force to be reckoned with, and you wouldn’t expect this slump to last too much longer.
Given their problems at the moment though, Liverpool needs to make sure it takes full advantage on Sunday. After all, how often do you get to face such a frail City side, especially with the chance to go 11 points clear?
