Manchester:
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he is questioning the Sunday clash with Liverpool in the Premier League after Ehring Haaland left the Champions League exit to Real Madrid .
The Norwegian was named on the Santiago Bernabéu bench but did not appear as City appeared outclassed in a 3-1 defeat on Wednesday, crashing 6-3 in total.
“I know tomorrow,” Guardiola said at a press conference before the match on Friday.
Omar Marmash’s signature in January means Guardiola has a backup option if Guardiola can’t recover in time to face the league leaders, but Guardiola has 27 goals The importance of the Star Striker could not be hidden.
“It’s better to eel on the pitch,” he added. “Of course, we’re getting stronger with Erling.”
The battle for hegemony between Guardiola’s city and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool marked the era of the Premier League.
However, Arne Slot has seamlessly succeeded in making Red a course on the course for his first season title.
“For me, it’s an exceptional team. I’ve said many times, they were the biggest rivals of my tenure here,” Guardiola said.
“Arsenal has been involved in the past few years, but we couldn’t expect Liverpool (yes) to be different from what they are in.”
Liverpool is an eight-point lead over Arsenal. Arsenal is playing in hand and is a favorite to cut the gap to 5 when they hosted West Ham on Saturday.
After four consecutive title wins, the city’s crown defense is realistically finished as it is a 17-point drift for Liverpool in fourth place.
Injuries have played a major role in the city’s decline.
The John Stones have been on the sidelines for several more months after limping with a thigh cleft early on with Madrid, but Rodri and Manuel Akanji may not play again this season either.
Guardiola pointed to a brutal schedule as a cause, noting that Arsenal, Real Madrid and Tottenham are one of the clubs that are battling many serious muscle injuries this season.
City’s season could grow in mid-July as they participated in the Club World Cup, with the next Premier League season beginning just a month later.
Guardiola said he is already afraid of the recurring situation next season. AFP