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The proof Man City boss Pep Guardiola believes Liverpool are going nowhere

This one, from Ian Doyle, is absolutely flying online so I thought I’d be kind and share it with you lovely people on the blog.

He writes:

Deep within the bowels of Anfield’s Main Stand, Pep Guardiola was reading from the first page of the visiting manager’s handbook.

The Manchester City boss was addressing the media having seen his side scrap out a goalless draw against recent nemesis Liverpool on Sunday.

And after taking a solid point from a main rival, the platitudes were flowing in much the same way shots on target were not.

“Up and down, Liverpool are the best team in the world in these transitions, offensive, defensive, it is built for that,” said Guardiola. “It’s not easy because they are so strong and good. Lovren played in the final of the World Cup, Van Dijk is a top centre-back, Gomez is in incredible form. “We have to recognise against which team we put in this performance. At Anfield, against probably the three best attackers in the world.”

You’d have thought City were facing the Brazil team from 1970, such was his gushing praise for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Perhaps it was a way to explain a surprise shift in tactics that saw Guardiola employ caution up against a team that had scored nine times already against City this season.

And it certainly sought to add value to what was already considered a decent point, with Liverpool unbeaten at home in the Premier League since April 2017 and having not conceded a top-flight goal at Anfield since February.

But of far greater intrigue was the throwaway comment made by Guardiola right at the end of his press conference.

“And on January 1 you will see us at the Etihad Stadium,” he said.

(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

The opponents on New Year’s Day, of course, are Liverpool. A fact the City boss knew off the top of his head, a date lodged in his mind for future reference.

The inference here is two-fold.

Firstly, City won’t be as hesitant, as respectful or as defensive-minded against the Reds as they were at the weekend.

And it also indicates that, three months down the line, Guardiola anticipates Liverpool will still be in contention by the time they make the short journey down the East Lancs Road.

That will be the 21st league game. When Liverpool beat City in January last season, it was the 23rd matchday with the Reds going into the game 18 points behind.

Guardiola knows the gap won’t be so large this campaign.

October last year saw Klopp irk the Catalan by suggesting City’s runaway start to the season could see them have the title wrapped up by January.

The Reds boss won’t be saying that this month. And as Guardiola knows, Liverpool are going nowhere. Their title challenge is real.