Pep Guardiola responds to Jurgen Klopp & Liverpool’s title surrender

Manchester City currently hold a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table from Liverpool, but is it really all over?

‘I don’t believe him!’ was Pep Guardiola’s response to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s apparent title surrender.

Ahead of this weekend’s fixtures, Manchester City sit on top of the league table. Liverpool are in second place, nine points behind Guardiola’s men. But they can cut the deficit down to six points by winning their game in hand against Leeds on February 23.

Of course, there is also still one more clash between City and Liverpool coming up at Etihad Stadium on April 9.

What did Klopp say?

Speaking after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Leicester City on Thursday, however, Klopp was downbeat on his side’s title hopes.

“I am not sure we are in a position to get them on their toes,” said the Reds boss. “We have no chance to catch them but that does not mean we shall not try to play the best possible season for us.”

What does Guardiola think of this ‘surrender’?

“I don’t believe him!” said Guardiola in a press conference on Klopp seemingly raising the white flag.

When asked if he would still believe in a title bid if he was in Klopp’s shoes, the City manager replied: “Absolutely [it’s possible] and he thinks the same, otherwise he wouldn’t be the competitor that he is.

“Of course, he believes. In football, everything can happen. He knows that he has to win a lot of games, like we know we have to win a lot of games to fight to be champion again.”

Manchester City return to action on Saturday afternoon away to Norwich City in the Premier League, while Liverpool will visit Burnley on Sunday.