Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: Everyone in England supports Liverpool

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola highlighted Liverpool's popularity when asked about the title race in an interview after his side's win over Newcastle

Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, the latter in the shadows, during the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Liverpool.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that everyone in England is a Liverpool fan.

Guardiola watched his side thrash Newcastle 5-0 in the Premier League on Sunday and believes the result will have upset a lot of people as City take a three-point lead in the title race with three rounds remaining in the Premier League.

Speaking to Carrie Brown on beIN Sports, Guardiola was asked if he feels his team are a step closer to the title.

"Everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone," he said.

"Of course, because Liverpool has an incredible history in European competition, not in the Premier League – [they have] won one in 30 years.

"But it’s no problem at all. The situation is what it is. We have to get nine points, maybe six, it depends on the next two games in terms of goal difference.

"Now Wednesday is the real final for us, our destiny is in our hands and this is important, that’s the reality."

Asked whether he really believed people wanted Liverpool to win it more than City, he said: “Liverpool alongside Man United are the most important teams in terms of history, titles, legacy, dramas, for many many things.

“But for the last 10, 12 years, we have been there. I don’t care that the people want more Liverpool to win than us, that’s not the issue, that’s normal.

"Maybe there are more supporters around the world and here in England supporting Liverpool.”

Ben Hayward
Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.