"Many more games to play" - Guardiola responds when asked if Manchester City will struggle to defend PL title if they lose to Liverpool

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has opened up on whether his side would remain in the title race if they lose to Liverpool. The Cityzens travel to Anfield on Sunday, December 1, trailing the Reds by eight points after just 12 games.

If Manchester City lose against Arne Slot's side this weekend, the Merseyside giants will open up an 11-point gap at the top. Having formerly claimed that such a gap at this stage would be insurmountable, Guardiola has now somewhat backtracked.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager insisted that there are still plenty of games to play for his side to recover. The Spaniard said, as quoted by The Mirror:

"In the situation we have it's not realistic to think about big targets. The situation is to think about one game and build the momentum to continue. Even in the situation we have been in in the past thinking about winning the titles was not realistic, we recovered."

Guardiola added:

"Liverpool are so powerful in all departments, especially the boxes. It will be difficult but in the situation that we are in, losing a lot of games in the row, and three in the Premier League, I always think about targets in March or April."

The six-time Premier League-winning manager added:

"It doesn't matter what happens on Sunday. It will be more difficult if we don't take a result on Sunday but there are many more games to play."

Having won four successive Premier League titles on the bounce, Manchester City started this season as title favorites. Liverpool, on the other hand, were not considered title challengers by many due to a new manager in Arne Slot replacing Jurgen Klopp.

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Alan Shearer predicts the outcome of huge clash between Liverpool and Manchester City

Alan Shearer has backed Liverpool to secure all three points from their huge clash against title rivals Manchester City on Sunday, December 1. The Merseyside giants have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table to 11 points if they can add more misery to Pep Guardiola's side.

With the kind of form the Reds have been in this season, Alan Shearer has claimed that they will be favorites against the Cityzens.

Shearer told Metro:

"Unless City tighten up and strengthen up in midfield, Liverpool could overpower them there. There are so many great battles to look forward to. Whoever Pep decides to play at left-back has a huge challenge on hand also."

The former Newcastle United striker added:

"With the form that Man City are in, Liverpool at Anfield and the forward options they have, I can’t see anything other than a Liverpool victory."

Many were skeptical whether Arne Slot would be able to fill in the huge shoes left by Jurgen Klopp's departure. The Dutchman has not only proved his doubters wrong but has made the Reds almost unstoppable.

Liverpool have won 17 of their opening 19 games across competitions and lead both the Premier League and Champions League tables. Manchester City, on the other hand, are on the back of five losses and one draw in their last six games.