Have you already given up on the fight for the Premier League? Pep Guardiola's surprising words after the defeat

Manchester City’s hopes of securing a fifth consecutive Premier League title hang in the balance as Pep Guardiola openly acknowledged the fragility of his team following their 4-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur. The champions now face a critical clash against Liverpool next week, with their title ambitions under threat.

A Historic Defeat

James Maddison scored twice, while Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson added to Tottenham’s tally in a dominant performance at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, November 24, 2024. This marks City’s fifth consecutive league defeat, making them the first reigning champions to endure such a streak since Chelsea in 1956.

With Liverpool set to host Manchester City at Anfield next week, a loss could leave Guardiola’s side trailing their rivals by 11 points—a gap he concedes may be insurmountable in the title race.

Guardiola’s Honest Assessment

Despite the mounting pressure, Guardiola emphasized that qualifying for the Champions League has become his primary objective this season. In a candid post-match interview, he reflected on the team’s recent struggles:“If you lose 4-0, you can only congratulate Tottenham. We’re a bit fragile at the moment, finding it hard to score and playing with negative thoughts. We’ve lost three Premier League games in a row, but we must break this pattern.”

He added:“We’re not used to this, but that’s life. Sometimes these things happen, and we need to accept it. This is the situation now, and we’ll rise again to improve.”

Looking Ahead

When asked if an 11-point deficit to Liverpool would spell the end of their title hopes, Guardiola was blunt:“Yes. Liverpool are relentless when it comes to winning.”

He urged his team to focus on short-term goals:“We must think about the next game, not the end of the season. We used to win because we deserved it. Now, we must take it step by step to improve and secure a place in the Champions League.”

• Historic Losing Streak: Manchester City has suffered five consecutive league defeats, a first for a reigning champion since 1956.
• Liverpool Showdown Looms: A loss at Anfield could leave City 11 points adrift, effectively ending their title bid.
• Focus on Recovery: Guardiola stresses the importance of breaking their losing streak and securing Champions League qualification.
• Adapting to Challenges: Despite their dominance in recent years, Guardiola admits his team is struggling with confidence and form.

As Manchester City prepares for their high-stakes match against Liverpool, the outcome could define not only their season but also Guardiola’s ability to rally his squad through one of their most challenging periods in recent history.