Manchester City defender Nathan Ake has shared his thoughts on the title race after Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Manchester United on Tuesday night.
Luis Diaz gave Jurgen Klopp’s an early lead at Anfield, before Mohamed Salah doubled Liverpool’s lead in the first half. Sadio Mane then put the game beyond doubt after the break before Salah added his second of the evening.
The win over their fierce rivals puts the Reds two points clear of Manchester City in the league table, who host Brighton on Wednesday night. Speaking ahead of the game at the Etihad, Ake praised Liverpool and admitted that City still have a point to prove.
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“The way Liverpool is playing at the moment and the way we are playing at the moment is just an enjoyment,” he told Manchester City’s club website. “I am happy to be a part of it and we just have to make sure we get trophies for it.
“Up until now it has been a very good season, but we haven’t got a trophy, so we have to make sure we finish the season well. Obviously, the last result (defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup) we wanted to go through to the final and that is the only thing.”
The Netherlands international confessed that he felt the “tension” of the title race when Liverpool and City played out a 2-2 draw earlier this month. Having been billed as a potential title decider, the 27-year-old was relieved that his side held their nerve against the Reds and has backed his teammates to remain focussed for the remainder of the season.
Speaking about the league clash with Liverpool at the Etihad, Ake said, “We wanted to win obviously, but we showed that we are still 100 per cent in this race, but there has been so many defining moments.”
He continued: “I think it is quite simple [to be prepared] to be fair because you know every game is massive and you just have to focus on the same thing every day. Because the games are massive you do that automatically. We just go from game to game, day to day, knowing that you have to win every game.
“We have a group that know how to win things, so we know the next few weeks are going to be so vital and important. We are going to do everything to make sure we win it.”
Before Ake concluded: “Obviously the last game [against Liverpool] was massive. You could just feel the tension from everywhere and obviously all the press around it as well, it was a massive game. That was very important to make sure that we didn’t go behind.
“We wanted to win obviously, but we showed that we are still 100 per cent in this race, but there has been so many defining moments.
“Obviously, the thing that stands out for me is the Arsenal game. I think it was a game of two halves from myself. In the first half it was not my best but in the second half I tried to change it and I did. I made a clearance off the line.
“I think this season has been much better than last season for me.”
