Pep Guardiola says 'there is a bright future' for Manchester City after home loss to Liverpool in Premier League

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Manchester City's season suffered another blow on Sunday as they were beaten at home by Premier League leaders Liverpool. City boss Pep Guardiola saw positives for the future in the 2-0 defeat at home, while Liverpool manager Arne Slot refused to get carried away despite his side holding an 11-point advantage over Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

Maresca laments 'toughest defeat of the season' against Aston Villa

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Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City need to build for the future, but he saw in the defeat to Liverpool that the signs are positive.

After winning the Premier League for four seasons in a row, a fifth successive domestic title looks a lost cause – with City 20 points adrift of Liverpool.

Guardiola said prior to the 2-0 loss to Liverpool that securing a place in the top four would be an "unbelievable" achievement.

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With Newcastle United, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Aston Villa within two points of City, the race for fourth is extremely tight.

Guardiola also said before the game that he was not throwing in the towel, and the home loss on Sunday left him in a positive frame of mind.

"If you lose, you have to lose the way we lost today," Guardiola told Sky Sports. "I saw many things that this club has a bright future with the players that we have."

Kevin De Bruyne’s future at City has been called into question, and Guardiola again referenced the Belgian midfielder when talking about a squad rebuild.

"Except Kevin De Bruyne and maybe Nathan Ake, all the players are so, so young," Guardiola said. "What the club decides next for the future, there is a bright future for this club in the next years.

"Everyone knows that a part will be here next season for the older players but we have to build for the next step. There is a question of time."

Guardiola says top-four finish would be 'unbelievable' for Man City

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Guardiola brought in Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov for sizeable fees in January – while Vitor Reis was signed ahead of a summer transfer from Palmeiras – but the Spaniard feels more changes are needed.

"We are far away," Guardiola said. "We will see in the future.

"What we have done in previous seasons is good, but now we are away from them."

Erling Haaland was absent from the Liverpool loss, and Guardiola was unsure whether the Norwegian would be fit to face Tottenham on Wednesday – live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

"I don't know," Guardiola said when asked if Haaland would be fit to face Spurs. "I am not saying we didn't get the result because Erling was not there. That is unfair on the other players. We could finish more, but in general it is fine."

Erling Haaland of Manchester City looks on from the substitutes bench during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England

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SLOT: THERE IS NO SECRET

The win ensured Reds boss Arne Slot did the league double over City, and the Dutchman was pleased with how his side answered back following a draw with Aston Villa.

"Three days ago, we had a draw at Villa and people told me we weren't in a good place, and then three days later we win and it changes again," Slot said. "We work every single day to achieve this and it is three months of very hard work to maintain this."

Liverpool hold an 11-point lead, but Slot pointed to Arsenal having a game in hand.

"There is no secret," Slot said. "We are 11 points clear but Arsenal has one game in hand.

"You always have to adapt to the challenge you have. A week ago, we experienced how difficult Wolves at home was. There will always be difficult games, like today.

"It is easier for us to not get excited because we know what we have to put in. This result was more about defence than attack. It is normal for fanbases to be positive and it is important to understand why we are where we are."

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