Error code: %{errorCode}

Soccer

'We are far away' - Pep Guardiola admits gap between Manchester City and Liverpool after Sunday showdown

DAZN

23, Feb

Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium demonstrates the gap between the two sides, says Pep Guardiola.

The Reds appear to be cruising towards a Premier League title, which will put an end to City's four-year reign atop England's top flight. With his team nowhere near the title conversation after years of dominance, Guardiola and Co. are forced to look to the future as they aim to re-establish Man City as a force with the Premier League and in European competition.

Read next | 'We need another title' - Liverpool star Mohamed Salah reacts after victory over Manchester City

Sunday's match was a good start despite the scoreline, according to Guardiola.

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

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

FIFA Club World Cup

Guardiola praised his side for going toe-to-toe with the champions in waiting, stating that the Sky Blues were able to get into the final third but "missed the next bit" against a resolute Liverpool defence. It's a performance he feels the team can build upon, and it will be mostly younger players who will take on the load of the re-build.

"Everyone knows that a part will be here next season for the older players but we have to build for the next step," Guardiola said. "There is a question of time. Even with the amount of absences we have, we played well. They break the lines and can break behind you. They really threaten but we bring them there and all we missed is that in the final third, it depends on the talent to dribble or shoot in the right moment. From there, we build for the future.

"We are far away. We will see in the future. What we have done in previous seasons is good but now we are away from them. We played with personality which was really good."