Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that a loss at Anfield next Sunday could spell the end of Manchester City's bid to retain their title. If Liverpool triumphs over Southampton this Sunday, they will extend their lead over the reigning champions to eight points, setting the stage for a potential 11-point advantage with a home victory the following week. Following Tottenham's recent win, which marked City's fifth consecutive defeat, Guardiola was questioned about whether the gap would be insurmountable. "Yes, because this Liverpool team is relentless in their winning streak," Guardiola responded. When asked if this would be a decisive blow to their title defense, he added, "I don't know. But it's not about contemplating whether we will win or lose the championship. We are not prepared to think about the season's end.
If we don't win the title, it's because we didn't deserve it – when we won in the past, it was because we earned it. Our focus now is on Feyenoord [on Tuesday]. That is the most critical task – first for qualifying for the Champions League – and gradually, the players will improve." Two goals from James Maddison and one each from Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson led to City's first home defeat in regulation time in 52 matches, the most significant since a 5-1 loss to Arsenal in 2003. Guardiola noted, "At this moment, we are vulnerable defensively. We started well, as usual, but failed to score, and then conceded. After that, we conceded more, which is challenging for our morale right now."
In eight years, we have never experienced this kind of situation. Now, we must endure it and break through by winning the next games, especially the next one. Currently, we view things one way, but in a few weeks, our perspective might change." Guardiola described the team's mood. "For the way they played, they are frustrated, but sometimes the opponent is strong, and sometimes we are not good enough in certain areas," he said. "The mistake would be overanalyzing what happened, and the other mistake would be making significant changes after eight years. We must rely on the fundamental principles we fully believe in, step by step, the players will recover, and we will return to striving to win games. If it doesn't happen, what can we do? More than ever, hopefully. Because I am immensely optimistic in life, hopefully, they can follow me." Ange Postecoglou was thrilled with his team's response after a home loss to Ipswich in their previous match. "After a really disappointing game last time, we returned to our core beliefs. Credit to the lads; they were outstanding," Tottenham's manager said. "We had to withstand a storm and then grew into the game. I am so pleased for the players, trying to play the way we want to."
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