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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Stephen Killen

Pep Guardiola makes 'immaculate' the norm at Man City in Liverpool rivalry, says Micah Richards

Micah Richards has hailed the dynasty Pep Guardiola has created at Manchester City as the club continues to hold off Liverpool is search of another Premier League title.

The Blues sit top of the table as Liverpool look to chase them down, as has been the case for a number of years. The gap currently stands at six points, with Jurgen Klopp's side holding a game in hand.

Richards has tipped Guardiola & Co. to hold onto their advantage and secure another title, but has underlined the strength of the rivalry. The former defender says Guardiola have made City "immaculate", which is the level required to beat Liverpool in a staggered rivalry.

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In his Daily Mail column, he said: "In that time since the start of the 2018-19 season, Pep Guardiola's team have amassed 331 points. Liverpool, remarkably, have gathered 325 points.

"Maybe it is because we are living through this rivalry we don't fully appreciate what we are seeing but I've had the feeling for some time that we're watching the greatest teams of the modern era and the numbers they are producing put it all into context.

"I fully expect Guardiola's team to get enough wins to surpass that Chelsea total over the same period. I anticipate Jurgen Klopp's team will do the same.

"Imagine getting 97 points — as they did in 2019 — and it not being enough to be champions? If I was a player in Liverpool's dressing room, I'd have been absolutely distraught. They could get more than 90 points again this year and it still might not be enough.

"There are days when City are absolutely immaculate yet we have to come think it as normal. Guardiola is constantly pursuing football perfection and, perhaps, the way Liverpool are breathing down his neck means he is constantly having to refine and improve City's style. It means the quality of play is consistently increasing."

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