‘I don’t care’ – Pep Guardiola makes tittle claims as Liverpool faces Man City and Arsenal fight
Liverpool returned to winning ways against Burnley at Anfield on Saturday but both Man City and Arsenal extended their impressive recent runs in the Premier League.
(Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola in discussion with Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne
The Premier League title race looks set to deliver a thrilling end to the season after all three main contenders picked up wins this weekend. Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal last weekend had stopped the Reds going eight clear and now there are just two points separating the top three.
Manchester City went top temporarily after beating Everton in the early kick-off on Saturday before Liverpool responded with a 3-1 victory over Burnley at Anfield. But the result of the weekend was delivered by Arsenal, who put six past West Ham at the London Stadium.
City has emerged as the favorite to retain its title this season and has been boosted by the return to fitness of both Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne. Haaland scored twice against Everton, with teammate De Bruyne setting him up for his second.
Yet Pep Guardiola insists the duo will not ensure City stroll towards the title and believes Liverpool and Arsenal will still be hopeful of finishing the season on top. Asked how scary it was for City’s rivals that Haaland and De Bruyne were back, Guardiola told talkSPORT: “I don’t care. I don’t care about how scary it is for them. Because I know some of my colleagues are not scared at all.
“OK we are stronger with [De Bruyne and Haaland], but as I said before, we can play good. But these types of players help you to win games. The first goal is not easy at all, right foot, first contact, and that’s why Erling is — in the box — he’s the best.”
Liverpool is due to take on City again at Anfield on March 10, in what could be a decisive fixture in the title race. The Premier League champion also still has to face Arsenal at the Etihad.
Liverpool had struggled against Burnley on Saturday and went in level at the break before goals from Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez secured an important three points. Afterward, Klopp suggested that Tottenham and Aston Villa were also in the mix, although Unai Emery’s side was beaten by Manchester United on Sunday.
He added: “It’s not only the three points [vs Burnley]. You cannot have momentum guaranteed all the time. Nine days ago we played incredible against Chelsea then we lost to Arsenal. It’s always a different challenge. If it’s not clicking straight away, fight through it. It was really tough but the boys fought through and got three points”
Liverpool.com says: The win over Burnley was vital with Manchester City and Arsenal both in excellent form right now. City is definitely stronger with Haaland and De Bruyne but let’s not forget the number of key men that Liverpool is missing at present. There is still plenty of football to be played and we are only in February, but it already appears one slip-up could prove decisive in the title race.
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