Neil Warnock has backtracked on his threat to play Cardiff City's under-23s team against Manchester City on Wednesday night as he told title-chasing Liverpool: “Don't worry.”
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock threatens to 'play the reserves' against Man City after Liverpool go top with one eye on their following game against fellow strugglers Burnley.
That could have had a major impact on the title race with City needing to beat Cardiff at the Etihad in order to knock Liverpool off top spot in the Premier League table.
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However, Warnock, who raged about the decisions that went against his side during their controversial defeat to Chelsea on Sunday, has now vowed that Cardiff will go flat out to dent Pep Guardiola's dreams of the Quadruple.
“I won’t field a weakened side against Liverpool, don’t worry, and I’ll make sure my lads are right up for this one,” Warnock said.
“We haven’t got enough (under-23s) and none of the lads want to travel! So I’ve got to stick to the first team.
“It’s interesting that we could decide the Premier League. I wonder what the reaction would be if that decision happens to Liverpool or Man City on the last day of the season.
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock threatens to 'play the reserves' against Man City after Liverpool go top
“Jurgen has done a fantastic job getting to where they are. Pep is another level, I admire what they’re doing for English football.
“I think the top four have moved up a step and the top two have gone up even further.
“Everything has got to fit into place. Every one of your players have got to play above themselves, all their players have to play below themselves. And you’ve got to be so careful when their quick lads are running into the penalty box.”
Warnock, whose side are five points from safety, insists Cardiff will be bold at the Etihad as Liverpool hope and pray for a favour from the Bluebirds.
“Let’s not use my comments as a defeatist attitude,” he added.
“I don’t want to go there and shut the shop up. Let’s go and have a go, I wanted to do that against Chelsea, although it turned out sour.
“That was another kick in the teeth and psychologically you’ve got to be strong to overcome that.
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“I won’t know until I look at the faces on Wednesday night whether people aren’t up for it. It’s important we give a good account of ourselves.
“I’ve told them there’s no excuses. They’ve all got to turn up. We’ve got to do our best in the game.
"City have taken the Premier League to another level. It’s the highest odds in a game this season - 40/1 in a two horse race! The bookies say they’ve never seen betting like it but we’ve got a genuine team."
