MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Pep Guardiola says Manchester City and Liverpool have raised the bar in what is required to win a Premier League title after a blockbuster campaign by both teams.
If both sides win their remaining three games, Liverpool would finish the campaign on 97 points - the third-highest tally in the Premier League era - and still fail to end their 29-year wait for an English top-flight title because City would have 98.
It is a far cry from the 1996-97 campaign when Manchester United won the championship with just 75 points.
That means, according to Guardiola, that future champions will need to be aiming towards the magical century, which City achieved last season, to be assured of lifting the trophy.
"The standards we created last year at Manchester City, people know that you have to be close to 100," he told reporters on Friday. "Before it was 90.
"This standard was last season, we helped Liverpool to achieve it this year and Liverpool helped us to keep going, so thanks to Liverpool we are competing.
"Liverpool know that to win you have to make a lot of points. That's what we communicate to anyone.
"Next season, Chelsea are getting better, Man United, Tottenham. At the end when you are 25 points above United, 22 points ahead of other ones, if they want to stay there you have to improve the standard. It was easier before, everyone can lose to anyone."
TREBLE CHANCE
The demanding City manager, still in the hunt to win a first-ever domestic treble in English football, is already challenging his players to maintain their standards next season.
And he invoked the names of some legendary stars from other sports to try and give them an example of how they must maintain their status at the top of the Premier League.
"You know when Usain Bolt makes 100m race - that's the standard and the others have to achieve it," he said.
"Like, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, that's the same. One hundred points in a season - if you want to compete you have to do that.
"I'd sign to maintain that level, I'd sign to do what we have done again in the Premier League, I don't expect more.
"To push each other, knowing the others are at the same level. Find out what we can do to win the game, after work harder, respect the opponents, improve on what we've done this season. That's the only way I know."
Guardiola, whose side travel to Burnley on Sunday, also explained his decision to leave England defender John Stones out of his squad entirely for the recent 2-0 victory at Manchester United.
Stones has struggled to maintain a regular place in Guardiola's high-flying team this season.
"It depends on the quality of the players and what I see in the training sessions, if they are happy, a bit more down," he said.
"There are many reasons but it's not the quality because I know them and I know that always they compete good."
- Liverpool injuries - ===== Klopp reiterated his belief that Lovren's injury is a justification for why he was right to rest players such as Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino
Klopp denies Liverpool's lighter schedule is title advantage
Football: We do it our way, says Klopp after another late Liverpool win SOUTHAMPTON, United States (AFP) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted his side cannot meet the heights of Manchester City's football, but they may still deny Pep Guardiola's men the title after moving top of the Premier League by beating Southampton 3-1 on Friday
We do it our way, says Klopp after another late Liverpool win
Jose Mourinho rules himself out of Benfica job | Sports News
Singapore starlet Ikhsan Fandi is all set to fulfill his dreams, flying out to Norway for a trial with Raufoss IL, according to The Straits Times. Ikhsan recently stated that his goal for 2019
2019 Garena Young Lions FC season - Wikipedia
May 19, 2019 · Messi also led La Liga this season with 13 assists, 136 shots, 85 shots on target and 70 through balls. In terms of successful dribbles, Messi's 132 fell seven short of Celta Vigo's Sofiane
Spalletti leaves Inter Milan with Conte set to take over Milan (UNITED STATES Sporting Activity)- Luciano Spalletti has actually left Inter Milan, the Serie A club introduced on Thursday, with previous Italy supervisor Antonio Conte readied to be introduced as the club's brand-new trainer..
Inter news: 'Antonio Conte can give more than Jose Mourinho
Liverpool and Milan are set to fight it out for Paris Saint-Germain defender Mamadou Sakho, reports suggest. French newspaper L'Equipe believe that the Rossoneri are preparing a €15m bid for the 23-year-old defender as they look to strengthen their backline before the end of the transfer window.
Antoine Griezmann admits move away from Atletico Madrid is edging nearer as he closes in on Barcelona switch: 'I know where I'll be playing next season' Antoine Griezmann has revealed his move
Barcelona boss gives Antoine Griezmann transfer update as
Manchester City's hopes of retaining their Premier League title suffered a potentially grievous blow as struggling Newcastle United earned a remarkable 2-1 comeback win over the champions at St
Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at Newcastle | The
This is only the start for Reds: Klopp. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is thrown in the air by the players as they celebrate after winning the Champions League on June 1, 2019.
This is only the start for Reds: Klopp - theworldnews.net
Davinson Sanchez is confident Tottenham's squad is strong enough to mount a Premier League title challenge despite injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Three successive wins have lifted Spurs to within five points of leader Liverpool after 25 matches, putting it firmly in the title picture alongside Manchester City.
Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope in absence of Kane and Alli
0 comments:
Post a Comment