Pep Guardiola: Liverpool might be best team in world right now, says Man City boss
Last updated on .From the section Man City
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City have to "accept" that title rivals Liverpool could be the "best team in the world right now".
Defending champions City, who beat Southampton 3-1 on Sunday, go into Thursday's home game against Liverpool seven points adrift of the Reds.
"The problem is the other team is fantastic," Guardiola told BBC Sport.
"[Liverpool are] maybe the best team in Europe or the world right now and in top form."
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While City have suffered defeats against Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Leicester in December, Liverpool have won all seven league games they have played.
They ended 2018 in style, beating Arsenal 5-1 at Anfield to briefly go 10 points clear of City.
Speaking about Liverpool's ability, Guardiola added: "You have to accept it. All we can do is do our job, play our games and after that we will see."
In addition to their dominant position in the league, Liverpool have a recent edge over City because they knocked the Blues out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals last season.
If the Reds were to win on Thursday, they would restore their 10-point cushion and become heavy favourites to win a first league title since 1990.
City captain Vincent Kompany said the game against the league leaders is the type of match "you live for".
"Our pride has been hurt over recent weeks but we have everything to play for. It depends on us," Kompany told Sky Sports.
"Every living soul that comes into the stadium has to be ready to fight and give it to them [Liverpool], and we should be able to pull everything out of the locker for that game."
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VVD and Allison were cheap as chips when you factor in the sale.
Yes, Liverpool are rich, but not mega rich like City, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real or PSG (to name a few)
I am no Liverpool supporter and never have been, but you do have to admire what Klopp is doing.
Thursday should be a belter.
1, Man City £508 million
2, Man Utd £400 million
3, Chelsea £243 million
4, Arsenal £222 million
5, Everton £203 million
6, Liverpool £178 million
Tottenham are 18th with a net spend of £18 million
Yes there are those that now see football as mini civil wars, changing lives.
No it's football, there to be enjoyed by those that love the game.
Hate, well it's really for the bad losers & troll's etc.
9 minutes ago
Don't know what other fans expected. Get rid of Wenger the best manager of the premier League era and you can't be surprised at a 5-1 drubbing by Liverpool whom we used to beat with ease on a regular basis
I suggest you check the records then Liverpool 20....drawn 19...Arse 15 wins
Goals liverpool 87 arsenal 68 :)
Oh nice one pep!!!
Talk about fueling the fire of the most arrogant, deluded fans on the planet.....
Just what the rest of us need to hear NOT
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I'm pretty sure you are confused. The most arrogant fans? He didn't say ManU are the best team in the world right now.
Most Liverpool fans me including, are saying even if we win Thursday it's still going to be far from over, it's only fools like Robbie Savage who think the titles over this early in the season
Pfft. Good luck with that Vincent. The Etihad is about as intimidating as Delia Smith.