Pep Guardiola has revealed that his opinion on Liverpool hasn’t changed despite their poor start to the season and joked he is expecting a Mohamed Salah goal this weekend.
City make the trip to Anfield on Sunday looking to move 16 points clear of the Reds in the Premier League table. Jurgen Klopp’s side have only won twice in the league this season.
However, Liverpool will come into the game on the back of a morale boosting 7-1 victory over Rangers in the Champions League on Wednesday night. City, meanwhile, were held to a 0-0 draw by FC Copenhagen the night before.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp hints at Mohamed Salah change and Man City message he's told Liverpool squad
READ MORE: What Jurgen Klopp didn't reveal in press conference as Haaland admission made
And when asked about the threat of Liverpool and whether Klopp's side were still his side’s biggest challengers, Guardiola replied: "The game will be dictated by what happens on the pitch, not because we are in front [in the league].
“My opinion I have for this team [Liverpool], nothing has changed. They always have been and always will be [our biggest title threat].
“I know the quality they have, they know the quality we have. If there were 10 games left, I think Liverpool could not catch the top of the league, in this case, Arsenal. But being in the position we are in, with the World Cup, anything can happen."
While Guardiola, when discussing Liverpool’s start to the season, claimed his side's consistency of finishing in the top two of the Premier League every season but one since he joined the club was one of his biggest achievements.
He said: “This is our biggest achievement as a team. Everything can change. A few months ago Liverpool were competing for a prestigious situation in English football, four titles, they had more shots, possession, everything in the final and they lost.
“This is the same team, same manager, things can happen. It's part of the nature of the competition. I don't look at good moments or bad moments. I analyse as a team always expecting the best of them."
A magnificent solo goal from Salah helped Liverpool maintain their unbeaten start despite City twice coming from behind in a 2-2 draw at Anfield last season. And Guardiola has jokingly suggested the Reds forward, who bagged a hat-trick in midweek, will be on the score sheet again this weekend.
He said: “This type of player always scores goals in their career. If they are struggling a bit, sometimes not at their best the quality is there.
“They are so good, they scored the goals in the last game, we played many times against them, Salah scores always we know that.”
Before he added on Anfield: “You have to behave at top top level, especially off the ball, for second balls many many things. At Anfield, winning or losing we always play with big personality.
“It's one of the biggest ones, nicest ones, it's a joy to be there and be a part of the game. It's a football game Liverpool's importance is the quality they have.”
Guardiola also confirmed Kalvin Phillips, John Stones and Kyle Walker will miss Sunday's game - but Erling Haaland is available after sitting out of Tuesday’s draw.
"All of them will be out," he said. "John I think will be back I don't know when but maybe one week, ten days. Kalvin is getting better and is improving a lot. Kyle is still out.
“He was tired [Haaland], and Bernardo and others as well, but they feel good and are ready for Sunday.”
READ NEXT
-
Liverpool can unleash secret attacking weapon against Man City
-
Paul Scholes makes brutal Liverpool snub in Manchester United prediction
-
Mikel Arteta breaks silence on FA investigation after Arsenal's Liverpool complaint
-
Jurgen Klopp has two major Liverpool decisions to make for Man City
-
Liverpool fans make clear Mohamed Salah point after Champions League 'royalty' empties Ibrox
