Here are your Manchester City morning headlines for Sunday, November 8.
Guardiola heaps praise on Sterling
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has explained how Raheem Sterling has become a crucial part of his team in recent times.
The England star has netted five goals and provided four assists so far this season and Rodri is the only outfield player to play more Premier League minutes to date this campaign.
"I think he's a better player than when he arrived and hopefully in four years will be a better player than he is right now," Guardiola explained, as per the MEN.
“It's a process. He's an exceptional player, he plays all the minutes because of his physicality and he will be there again on Sunday.
"Of course, there will be a moment where he takes a rest but at the moment he is such an important player for us so we cannot leave him out but I'm sure with his mentality and desire to win and improve a lot since we arrived.
"All the credit to him. I wish in three, four, five years he will be a much better player than he is today."
Guardiola names toughest opponents
Guardiola has named Liverpool among the toughest opponents he has faced throughout his coaching career.
The Catalan had long, successful stints at Barcelona and Bayern Munich before joining City in 2016, and he namechecked Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Luis Enrique’s Blaugrana among the toughest sides he has faced.
However, he has added Liverpool to that list ahead of Sunday afternoon’s meeting.
"I will never underestimate an opponent," Guardiola explained, in quotes carried by the MEN. "When I was in Bayern Munich there was Dortmund with Thomas Tuchel or Jurgen that were incredible teams, when I was in Barcelona Real Madrid were so, so tough always but here since I arrived when we fought for the titles Liverpool were the big rivals.
"I have faced many teams, I have incredible respect for all of them but this is my feeling that Liverpool in the last few years and Luis Enrique's Barcelona when I played them in Champions League semi-finals with Bayern Munich are the toughest opponents I have ever faced.
"I will try to beat them but that is part of the process. Maybe in a few years City will have another rival or Liverpool will have another rival so this will not be eternal in terms of all the teams being there but in the last there years the toughest opponent we have had in the Premier League has been Liverpool."
Silva identifies City advantage
Bernardo Silva believes City are confident ahead of this afternoon’s crucial Premier League meeting with Liverpool.
The Portuguese star explained how City have won every home game against Liverpool in the Premier League since he joined the club, and he is confident of continuing that run.
“We expect a very tough match against Liverpool, we know how strong and solid they are, one of the best teams in the world,” Silva said, as cited by the MEN.
“They are also a direct rival for the Premier League title, so we know how difficult it will be, but like in every game our aim is to win.
“We are also playing at home, which should have a positive influence. We need these three points in order to pursue our place at the top of the table.
“The truth is that our last encounters with Liverpool at the Etihad were positive for us. Since I have joined City, we won all our games against Liverpool at home in the Premier League, but these games are always unpredictable.
“We’ll do everything to keep winning and to win on Sunday. We know it will not be easy, but we will do everything we can.”
