‘Liverpool won’t drop points’ - why Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City will have to fight to be champions

Pep Guardiola has emphasised the ‘battle’ Manchester City have on their hands if they want to be crowned Premier League champions this season.

The Spaniard, who has guided the club to three league wins since taking over in 2016, believes if the Sky Blues drop points in their remaining 11 games they could miss out on being champions for a second consecutive campaign.

Speaking to the media following City’s 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday, Guardiola highlighted the importance of their upcoming fixtures, but reiterated he isn’t sure how the season will finish come 22 May.

“Every game will be similar [to Everton], for sure,” he said.

“Everyone plays to survive, for the Europa League, for the Champions League, to be champions. Every game will be a battle.

“We have spoken about that. It is not the first time we have been in this situation and we learn from the past.

“If you want to be champions in the Premier League against this rival - Liverpool are not going to drop points - you have to do a job in nearly all the games.

“I don’t know how it is going to finish, but we are going to try. Every game will be an incredibly tough battle and we have to face every game knowing if we drop points, it will be difficult to be champions.”

The Sky Blues sit top of the Premier League after 27 games, three points ahead of second-place Liverpool. However, the latter have a game in hand.

City welcome rivals Manchester United to the Etihad Stadium in their next league game, with Guardiola’s side hoping a win over their neighbours will keep them on track in the title race.