Pep Guardiola thinking about Liverpool, not Premier League title
Sunday 1 April 2018 13:33, UK
Pep Guardiola recognises Manchester City are now on the brink of title glory, but wants to put aside thoughts of clinching it against Man Utd - for now.
City now know victory in next weekend's derby at the Etihad Stadium, live on Sky Sports Premier League on Saturday at 5pm, will secure the Premier League crown after overpowering Everton 3-1 on Saturday.
But before they can plan for that game, City take on Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Anfield on Wednesday and Guardiola wants to put his energies into that.
The City boss said: "We are closer than ever. We have one game to win. If we are not able to win, we have six more chances. We are so, so close and so happy with the performance.
"I understand the people are talking about United now but all the decisions I am going to take is thinking about Liverpool - the game before United and after United. That is what it is."
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City effectively secured victory against a lacklustre Everton as they opened up a 3-0 lead in the first half.
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Goals from Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus in the first 12 minutes put City on their way before Raheem Sterling added a third before the break.
It was an emphatic display from City who, despite the proximity of Wednesday's game, fielded a formidable side.
Guardiola said: "After three weeks (without a game), I didn't want maybe seven, eight or nine players who are going to play on Wednesday to go four weeks without playing together.
"We needed to be together to find the pace, to find our rhythm, the way we want to play for our massive, massive two games against Liverpool."
A number of Everton fans left early but many of those that stayed to the end applauded City's players off the field, so impressive had their performance been.
Guardiola said: "Maybe (it was) because we are going to play against Liverpool!
"But thank you so much. For people who love football to enjoy how we play, that is satisfaction. Last season I applauded them after the 4-0 (defeat)."
