Pep Guardiola has highlighted a potential weakness in his Manchester City side, ahead of their clash with Liverpool.
Life on the road continues for Guardiola ’s side, having earned a 1-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend, before suffering a 2-0 defeat to PSG in Paris, they travel to Anfield on Sunday.
After facing a tough recent schedule, Manchester City could be forgiven for losing to Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who possess a forward line composed of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
However, Guardiola believes he knows the reason for the difference in performance and it could have a potential bearing on the top-of-the-table game against Liverpool .
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“We made a really good game, quite similar from Stamford Bridge, maybe we were a bit less aggressive in our first actions because of the quality of players that we have,” he said in his post-match interview .
“Gabby [Jesus] and [Phil] Foden are more aggressive in terms of this than Raheem [Sterling] and Kevin [De Bruyne] - but in general it was a fantastic game, we did everything.
“I didn’t see the stats but I think we created enough chances to score, the quality of the players that we have we minimised, through our game, Neymar and Messi being in contact with the ball and Mbappe running in behind.”
The Spanish coach made two changes in midweek to the side that had won against Chelsea, bringing in Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez for Gabriel Jesus and Phil Foden.
Despite Mahrez not being directly mentioned by his manager, it is clear that he believes City were stronger when playing with Foden in a false nine role and Jesus operating out wide.
However, after playing two elite sides consecutively at a high intensity, it will be a challenge for Guardiola’s players to reach the level of pressing he demands from his team against Liverpool.
The Reds, by comparison, head into the game after a comfortable 5-1 win away at Porto and will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points with a victory.
