Pep Guardiola has used Liverpool's 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield to bat away criticism of Man City following his side's surprise defeat to Leeds United on Saturday.
Despite playing the entirety of the second half against 10 men, the champions elect fell to a shock last-minute defeat against the newly-promoted side at the Etihad this weekend as Manchester United's own victory over Tottenham Hotspur narrowed their lead to 11 points.
The defeat to Leeds is only City's second in their past 28 matches, having lost to the Red Devils themselves last month, with Guardiola 's men winning the remaining 26 games during that period to march towards reclaiming the Premier League title as well as progressing in Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
Liverpool have endured a miserable record at Anfield since seeing their 68-game unbeaten home run ended by Burnley in January, with their weekend victory over Aston Villa their first on their own soil in 2021.
But Guardiola has highlighted exactly what both Man City and Liverpool have achieved when putting together such runs, insisting that such defeats only emphasise just how difficult such feats both were in the first place.
“When you see the last 27 or 28 games, we have won 26,” Guardiola said after his side's defeat. “You realise how difficult it is what we have done.
“When Liverpool lose a game at Anfield after two, three, four or five years, it shows how difficult it is for us to not lose a game after a very, very long time.
“So, in the Premier League, we must win. We need points, still because our opponent can win all their games.”
