Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he expects this season’s Premier League title race to be more open than last season’s when his side pipped Liverpool to the line in a two-horse race after an epic tussle, reports Reuters.
City beat Liverpool on penalties in Sunday’s Community Shield at Wembley — the traditional curtain-raiser to the season — after a high-tempo clash ended 1-1. The two sides look likely to go toe-to-toe again when the season begin at Anfield on Friday with Liverpool’ home clash against Norwich City before City open away to West Ham United a day later.
Last season City won the title with 98 points to Liverpool’s 97 after Guardiola’s side won their last 14 Premier League games. Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester United completed the top six. Guardiola played down suggestions a similar story would unfold. “I think at the beginning of the season, all six of these teams are contenders,” he said.
“I don’t know if it will be like last season, two real contenders, I think United with (expected new signing, Harry) Maguire and the other players, Arsenal too, Chelsea and Tottenham. “I think there will be many, many contenders this time.” City dominated the first half against Liverpool with Raheem Sterling giving them an early lead.
But Joel Matip levelled late on and Liverpool would have won but for the excellence of City keeper Claudio Bravo who made several fine stops and saved Georginio Wijnaldum’s penalty in the shootout which City edged 5-4. Both teams struggled for intensity at times, Liverpool before the break and City after it and Guardiola suggested the demands on players over the summer were unreasonable, especially with many of his squad being involved in the African Cup of Nations and Copa America tournaments.
“The show must go on and I’m optimistic if they listen to the players,” the Spaniard said. “The NBA has an incredible amount of games but then five months off. Riyad Mahrez had 10 days off. “People say about the amount of money we earn but it’s not normal.”
Meanwhile, Former Liverpool player Raheem Sterling gave the English champions the lead in a first half they dominated as Liverpool’s sluggish pre-season form continued. But European champions Liverpool were quicker and sharper in the second period. They equalised through Joel Matip’s header and created a host of other chances to take the lead as City appeared to tire.
City’s Kyle Walker made a last-ditch goal line clearance from Mo Salah’s effort in the dying moments and with no extra time being played the showpiece went to a penalty shootout. Pep Guardiola’s side, who completed an unprecedented domestic treble last season after also winning the Community Shield curtain-raiser, scored all five of their spot kicks.
Claudio Bravo’s save from Liverpool’s second penalty, struck by Georginio Wijnaldum, proved decisive as City once again displayed their appetite for the big occasion. “It’s the first trophy you can win, for me growing up this was a big one, it starts off the season and hopefully we can replicate what we did last season,” Walker said.
“It’s too early to say, there’s a lot of good teams in this league but hopefully we can be up there or thereabouts.” While neither manager will attach much significance to the outcome of Sunday’s game, it was still a useful barometer of where both teams are, ahead of next weekend’s big kickoff.
