Pep Guardiola has claimed his Manchester City side should be grateful for the way they have been pushed by Liverpool in recent years.
Guardiola’s men are used to drawn-out title battles, with Liverpool pushing City to the final day of the season in two of the last four campaigns before this one. In that time, the Reds also beat the Etihad club in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
City moved one step closer to a third Premier League title in a row when they hammered Arsenal 4-1 on Wednesday night. Guardiola's side, now two points behind the Gunners with two games in hand, were inspired by the devastating partnership of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.
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And speaking after the Etihad clash, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss gave credit to the teams attempting to challenge City’s dominance in English football.
He said: "Why should I stop [trying to win]? When we are here, we have to do it. We are lucky as a team, I have to be honest, the way Liverpool push us in the previous season after winning 100 points.
"Liverpool push us, and this season Arsenal, they made 50 points in the first leg; I could not expect to be in the position.
"Once we are there we try to win; always when we play, why should we stop? It’s not necessary."
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