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What's the story?
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has reportedly banned his players and staff from checking up on title rivals Liverpool and talking about them as they enter their final game of the season today.
In case you didn't know
The Premier League is nearing its end as Liverpool and Manchester City will play their final games to determine who will lift the coveted trophy this season.
Pep Guardiola's side has a title-deciding advantage, as they lead the Reds by a single point on the league table. Liverpool will, thereby, hope for a slip-up on the Cityzens' part if they wish to win their first domestic title in decades.
While Manchester City is scheduled to face Brighton, Liverpool will go head-to-head with Wolverhampton Wanderers for their last game of the season.
In case you didn't know
It appears Guardiola is not keen on any distractions on their final day, as he has reportedly asked his players and staff to focus solely on their task and not their title rivals.
According to The Sun, a source said,
"Pep has been very clear. He doesn’t want to know how Liverpool are doing."
"He just wants everyone to concentrate on their own performance and win the game in front of them. He has been very strict and said, ‘We will not speak of them’. He respects Liverpool an awful lot but the title is in City’s hands."
"If everyone does their job, then the Liverpool result is immaterial. He’s very focused and expects the same from all of his players and staff. There will be no checking of mobile phones to find out the score."
What's next?
If Manchester City retains their title, they will do so with 98 points, and if Liverpool brings the trophy to Merseyside, they will do so with 97 points. No matter who wins the title, the number of points just proves how immensely talented both squads are and how deserving they would be, no matter who lifts the trophy.
