Pep Guardiola has insisted that Manchester City will need to continue impressing if they are to keep up with Liverpool this season. City came from behind to beat Newcastle United in a frantic clash on Sunday evening, with the introduction of recently-injured Kevin De Bruyne proving all the difference for Guardiola’s side. With the Magpies leading 2-1, De Bruyne came off the bench and within five minutes had provided the equaliser, drilling into the bottom corner.
The Belgian then delightfully found Oscar Bobb with a lofted through ball to set up the winner in injury time. A massive boost for City, De Bruyne’s return to full fitness could prove pivotal in this season’s title race, which sees the Citizens currently two points off leaders Liverpool after 20 games.
However, Guardiola has stated that his side must keep winning to keep up with Jurgen Klopp’s side, praising the fine form of the Reds. “It’s really important [to win against Newcastle] because Liverpool are flying over the last month and we have to go to Anfield so it’s better to be close to them,” he said. “At half‑time I told the players: ‘You are amazing, stick together and we will do it.’“This is what I want, waiting on Manu [Akanji], John [Stones] and Erling [Haaland] to come back as soon as possible when the Champions League is coming and FA Cup is here to use everyone.
”That aforementioned Anfield clash is currently scheduled to take place on the weekend of Saturday March 9 – a game which will almost definitely be crucial in deciding who takes the Premier League crown come to end of the campaign Liverpool are back in Premier League action next weekend, as they go to Bournemouth in Sunday’s late-afternoon kick-off.
