Pep Guardiola Admits Manchester City Must ‘Start from Zero’ After Crushing Loss to Liverpool
It’s not every day you hear one of the most successful managers in Premier League history openly question his own job security, but that’s exactly what Pep Guardiola did after Manchester City’s latest setback. Following a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, Guardiola didn’t shy away from the harsh reality his team is facing. The loss extended City’s winless streak to seven games, including six defeats and an unprecedented four straight Premier League losses—their worst run since August 2008.
Goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, the latter coming from a second-half penalty, sealed the deal for Liverpool, who now sit nine points clear at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Manchester City has slipped to fifth place, two points further adrift. For a team that has dominated English football under Guardiola, this is uncharted territory.
Mocked by Liverpool Fans, Guardiola Responds
As if the loss wasn’t painful enough, Guardiola had to endure chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” from the Liverpool faithful. His response? A defiant show of six fingers, symbolizing the six Premier League titles he’s won during his time at the Etihad. But even that bravado couldn’t mask the frustration and disappointment in his post-match comments.
“I congratulate them [Liverpool] and we’ll reset and start from zero,” Guardiola said. “It is difficult to believe it, but we will restart and try and make a good run. We accept the reality as it is and recover. I want the team back, the players back.”
Guardiola’s honesty was striking. “I rely a lot on these players. I know what they are doing in this position. We’ll see what happens by the end of the season. I have the feeling from here that we can build something. Maybe you can call me delusional, but I feel we can do it.”
What Went Wrong at Anfield?
Guardiola didn’t sugarcoat the performance, admitting that Liverpool’s intensity in the opening stages was overwhelming. “The first 15, 20 minutes Liverpool were unstoppable. They started so strong. We tried to play with a lot of control and passes, but it was difficult to take it,” he explained.
He also highlighted the tactical challenges his team faced. “We don’t have the pace in the middle right now, and they [Liverpool] are stronger in the duels. You have to survive with the ball. We’re not good in transitions over 30-40 meters compared to them. We had to adapt, and we did it. I cannot forget which players I have.”
Guardiola’s Optimism Amid the Chaos
Despite the grim situation, Guardiola remains confident in his squad’s ability to turn things around. “I lived better before than now,” he admitted. “Even the taste of the wine, I would say it has tasted better. But I’m practical. I would say I’m incredibly honest with myself. I’m fortunate to live that, and now I’m not depressed.”
He drew on personal experiences to illustrate his resilience. “When I was in trouble, my mum and dad never gave me away. They were always there, and now I have the feeling in the club. I want to be with these players. We didn’t think we could lose one game, two games. Losing six or seven is wow, it is a lot, but it is what it is. Accept it.”
Respect for Liverpool Fans Despite the Taunts
Guardiola also addressed the chants from Liverpool fans, showing a surprising level of understanding. “All the stadiums want to sack me,” he said. “It started at Brighton! Maybe they are right with the results we’ve been having. Maybe I am still in a job because I won six Premier League titles.”
He added, “I didn’t expect that at Anfield. They didn’t do it at 1-0, but at 2-0. Maybe they should have sung it in the past. I didn’t expect it from the people from Liverpool, but it’s fine. It’s part of the game, and I understand completely. We’ve had incredible battles together. I have a respect for them.”
What’s Next for Manchester City?
Guardiola’s message to his players and fans was clear: stick together and fight through the adversity. “I am here sitting as a manager and defending what we have done in the past thanks to them, and more than ever I want to be with them and hug them. We have to change results, and in the right time, we will take the decision.”
For now, Manchester City must regroup and find a way to stop the bleeding. With Guardiola at the helm, they’ve achieved greatness before. The question is, can they do it again?
- Key Stats: Seven-game winless streak, including six defeats and four straight Premier League losses.
- Current Standings: Liverpool leads the table by nine points, while City sits in fifth place.
- Next Steps: Guardiola insists on a “reset” and believes his team can still salvage the season.
Originally Written by: Mark Ogden
