Pep Guardiola has taken a swipe at Premier League leaders Liverpool, pointing out that they have already failed to match Manchester City’s record 100-point season.
City’s dominance in English football has faltered this term, leaving them 16 points adrift of Liverpool and out of the title race. Even if Arne Slot’s side go on to lift the trophy, they can now only reach a maximum of 99 points—one short of City’s historic 2017-18 tally.
Speaking ahead of City’s clash with Newcastle on Saturday, Guardiola couldn’t resist a dig at Liverpool’s inability to match his team’s record-breaking campaign.
“We took all the records in England. Who would do 100 points now in modern football? I’m waiting,” Guardiola quipped. “Or four in a row? I’m waiting—with clubs like Bournemouth, Fulham, and Wolves that you have to play.
“Have you seen Liverpool this season? They cannot do 100 points already—99 but not 100.”
While acknowledging City’s struggles this season, Guardiola attributed the dip to injuries and fatigue among his players.
“I asked ‘Gundo’ (Ilkay Gundogan), ‘two years ago you were here, one year in Barcelona, and you come back here—did you see changes in the Premier League?'” Guardiola revealed. “He said massively, the difference was unbelievable. It’s the truth. The teams are much, much, much better in all departments.”
Guardiola admitted City deserves to have a bad season after years of dominance, adding that his squad has lacked consistency and sharpness.
“It’s the first time that me and many of the players have lived this position, but we have to accept it. What happened in the past was not normal,” he said.
The City boss also pinpointed a key difference in their performances compared to previous seasons—struggles in possession.
“I accept when the opponents have the ball, I’m going to suffer,” Guardiola said. “But now we are suffering when we have the ball. It never happened before, and right now, I cannot change it.”
