Pep Guardiola say Manchester City are happy to be battling with Liverpool for another title, as he looked to move on from his controversial comments about 'everyone in the country' supporting Jurgen Klopp's men.
Guardiola raised eyebrows at the weekend when he claimed the country was backing Liverpool to win the title, with Klopp responding to say he didn't see things that way, and suggesting his rival's comments were made in the heat of the moment after an emotional week for City.
While news of Erling Haaland's expected arrival at City dominated Guardiola's press conference ahead of the trip to Wolves, the manager was asked about the neck-and-neck title race with Liverpool, offering him a chance to clarify his stance.
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"It's going to happen, hopefully we can push them too," he said of the title race, adding that Liverpool's clash with Aston Villa won't influence their preparations against Wolves. Klopp's men play tonight (Tuesday), 24 hours before City.
"It happens last four, five years. Both teams have done another impressive season. We know exactly what we have to do, nine points, we will try to be there. Tomorrow is a final for us, Wednesday gives us an opportunity to arrive in the last game here with the title in our hands. It's massively important."
Asked if outsiders underestimate the difficulty of winning the Premier League, Guardiola added that City are happy with their work on and off the field to be regular contenders for the title.
"We are new as a club this last decade, 12, 13 years to be there," he explained, touching on the outside support he spoke about at the weekend.
"The mindset for everyone, not just ourselves. Only I can say inside, backroom staff, chairman, owner, CEO, sporting director, all the people working, we all know how difficult it is and how proud we are of what we have done and are doing. Hopefully we continue in the future.
"We know exactly how difficult, after that the opinions are absolutely acceptable. I know it's impressive, so impressive what we have done, especially in the Premier League. Everyone knows how difficult it is."
