The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola had taken a dig at Liverpool after the win against Newcastle United last season. According to Pep Guardiola, everyone in England supports Liverpool (as per him back then). They want Liverpool to win the League. However, Liverpool is not good at winning domestic League titles. They have only been able to win it once in the last 30 years. They have a better record of winning European competitions.
Manchester City was back then at the top of the table. They are three points ahead of Liverpool at this moment. Manchester City was looking for favourites to win the Premier League title again back then. However, they had been knocked out of the Champions League semifinal by Real Madrid after two legs of brilliant football.
On the other hand, Liverpool went to the final of the Champions League by beating Villarreal. Liverpool was in the second position in the Premier League last year. They were also in the Final of the FA Cup and the Champions League. So, Pep Guardiola was certainly trying to create pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s side. This was ahead of the final few weeks of this season.
What did Pep Guardiola say, which was a direct dig at Liverpool!?
Liverpool had dropped two points against Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City needed to drop three points to lose the league title. Pep Guardiola was certainly happy with the situation. He was trying to keep the enormous amount of pressure on their opponents. Manchester City registered a big win against Newcastle United.
Kevin De Bruyne was instrumental in the win of Manchester City. Phil Foden came on as a substitute and scored a goal in this 5-0 win. Raheem Sterling had scored twice and Aymeric Laporte was also on the scoresheet for Manchester City.
Ruben Dias, Kyle Walker and John Stones were out for the rest of the season. That might have been a concern for Pep Guardiola back then. However, they have Nathan Ake who can play as centre-back. Fernandinho could also play in that position back then. So, Pep Guardiola certainly knew he could win another Premier League title.
🗣️ “Everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone… Our destiny is in our hands, this is important.”
👀 Pep Guardiola’s response to @ManCity‘s emphatic 5-0 win over Newcastle.
🎤 @CarrieBrownTV #beINPL #MCINEW #MCFC pic.twitter.com/w6nHihdzR0
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) May 8, 2022
Things did eventually go in Manchester City’s favour, who were on the verge of a huge deal back then!!
Manchester City was very close to signing the hottest property of European football. Erling Haaland was on his way to Manchester City in this summer transfer window. The centre-forward knew he could flourish under the management of Pep Guardiola. So, he choose Manchester City as his next destination.
However, it was certainly not going to be an easy task for him to shine in the Premier League. Though, he has proven otherwise, so far. Let’s see how things happen going forward for both the player and the club, post the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
