Man City starts “from scratch” after Liverpool defeat – Guardiola

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City must now “start from scratch” after their 2-0 defeat at Liverpool extended their winning streak to seven games – including six straight defeats and four consecutive defeats in the Premier League for the first time since August 2008.

Goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah – a second-half penalty – secured victory for Liverpool, who were nine points clear at the top of the table. City are a further two points behind in fifth place.

Guardiola was taunted by Liverpool fans with shouts of “You’ll be sacked tomorrow morning” – the City manager responded by showing the crowd six fingers to indicate the number of titles he had won during his time at the Etihad – and he admitted after the game that the humiliating nature of the defeat at Anfield means City must now “reset”.

“I congratulate them (Liverpool) and we will restart and start from scratch and it is hard to believe,” Guardiola said. “We will restart and try to make a good run.”

“We accept reality as it is and recover. I want the team back, the players back.”

“I rely a lot on these players, I know they can do well in this position. We’ll see what happens by the end of the season. I feel like we can build something from here, maybe you can call me delusional, but I feel like we can do it.

“In the first 15, 20 minutes Liverpool were unstoppable, they started so strong, we tried to play with a lot of control and passing but it was difficult to keep it up.”

Guardiola, who signed a new two-year contract in November, is confident the players will turn things around and repeat previous successes.

“I lived better before than I do now,” he said. “Even the taste of the wine, I would say it tasted better.

“But I’m practical, I would say I’m incredibly honest with myself. I’m lucky to be living this and now I’m not depressed.”

“When I was in trouble my parents never betrayed me, they were always there and now at the club I feel like I want to be with these players.”

“We didn’t think we could lose one or two games. Losing six or seven is wow, that’s a lot, but it is what it is, accept it.”

“But we lack pace in the middle at the moment and they (Liverpool) are stronger in the duels and you have to survive with the ball.”

“Compared to them, we are not good at transitions over 30-40 meters. We had to adapt and we did it. I can’t forget the players I have.”

“Often we come here at our best and suffer when we are 0-1 or 0-2 behind. But we can’t compete against Liverpool, a team in transition, because they are so quick and stronger than us in those positions.”

“I sit here as a manager defending what we have achieved thanks to them in the past and more than ever I want to be with them and hug them. We have to change the results and at the right time we will make the decision.” “

Meanwhile, Guardiola said he still respects Liverpool fans despite their mocking chants towards the end of the game.

“All the stadiums want to throw me out,” he said.

“It started in Brighton! Maybe they are right about the results we achieved. Maybe I still have a job because I won six Premier League titles.

“I didn’t expect that at Anfield. They didn’t do it at 1-0, but at 2-0. Maybe they should have sung about it sooner.”

“I didn’t expect it from the Liverpool people but it’s fine, it’s part of the game and I completely understand it. We have had incredible struggles together. I have respect for them.”