Liverpool currently are four points ahead of Manchester City in the League standings after a big night in the title race on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola has admitted Manchester City will not be thinking about “big targets” after loosing 1-0 to Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
The reigning champions managed only two attempts at goal during the loss at Villa Park and have now gone four games without a win in the top-flight – the first time that has happened since April 2017.
City now find themselves six points adrift of league leaders Arsenal and four points behind Liverpool in second and look a shadow of the side that clinched a historic treble last season.
City are by no means out of the title race at this stage, despite producing another below-par performance, but their manager has acknowledged his players cannot be contemplating top spot due to their current league position being fourth place.
“It was better second half. The first half we didn’t press well and second half was much better,” Guardiola told beIN Sports post-match.
“They (Villa) had the moment to score a goal and after we struggled. We didn’t find some players to give something to provide for the people upfront, we could not do it.
“It is my duty to find the solution,” added the Catalan coach of City’s slump.
“Today was the game that was better but, with the previous ones, I don’t have that feeling. We have to find the way to win again, clean our heads and come back with momentum. When you are in this position, you can’t think much about big targets. We have to win the next game to change the dynamic.”
Liverpool will certainly have been delighted about how events at Villa Park unfolded, which has only added to the idea the Reds are firmly in the title race.
City may well be off the pace at present, though Jurgen Klopp is refusing to rule out Guardiola’s men in the hunt for the Premier League crown.
“If somebody would write City off, that would be the biggest joke in the history of football. That really makes no sense,” joked the German after his team’s 2-0 win at Sheffield United.
“Aston Villa are incredible, (Manchester) United are there. The league is incredibly strong and you need to be lucky to get through difficult moments. I have no clue where this will end up.”
