Pep Guardiola insisted it makes zero difference to Manchester City whether they kick off against Burnley in first or second place in the Premier League.
The reigning champions have topped the table since December but have been reeled in in recent weeks by a resurgent Liverpool team who have found their form in the New Year. City lead by a point with nine games to go, but the scheduling gives Jurgen Klopp's side the chance to climb to the top as they face Watford on Saturday lunchtime.
Guardiola is confident in the position his City team have worked themselves into as they still top the table, so if they win their remaining fixtures they will win the league. And Liverpool's result will not change how the Blues prepare for their match at Turf Moor.
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"It means nothing. Zero," he said. "At the end of the weekend we will know the position that we are but whether we are points in front or backwards we have to do our job.
"It's not the first time we do it. That means so far we have done incredibly well. When we face eight games that means we have done incredibly well. First is Burnley, especially away they are always tough.
"I think there are nine games to play, so game by game and we see what happens. We know what we have to do is win games. It's a lot but we're going to try."
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