Pep Guardiola has told title rival Jurgen Klopp the Premier League remains the true mark of greatness.
Guardiola will make it four titles in five years if Manchester City beat Aston Villa tomorrow, irrespective of how Liverpool do at home to Wolves. Although Liverpool have won the League Cup, FA Cup and reached the Champions League final, Guardiola said the league is always the most satisfying trophy to lift.
"I would say because it's more difficult to win,” said Guardiola. “There's a lot of weeks and games, struggling with injuries and good and bad moments. The success is in being there all the time in the last five years.
“There was one year when Liverpool were unstoppable and we weren't good enough. But it's satisfying because it's succeeding every day. When you win and win, it gives good training sessions and a good mood. It's not like the FA Cup. It's a routine, the most difficult thing in our lives. In terms of the Premier League it's every day, every week. Over 38 games is different, that's why I like it, ever since I was a player."
Guardiola paid tribute to Klopp's Liverpool, for pushing City all the way this season and closing what was, at one stage, a 14-point gap to just one. He said: “They’ve only lost twice in their 37 league games. When you face this type of team, you have to win the last game. I said a month ago you would need more than 90 points to win the title and that's the case.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola says defensive duo John Stones and Kyle Walker could feature in Sunday’s pivotal game with Aston Villa. England pair Stones and Walker along with Ruben Dias have been out injured recently, and the trio looked to have been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. But Stones and Walker were back in training on Thursday and Guardiola claimed there is a chance both might play against Steven Gerrard's side.
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“We have incredible doctors and physios. They have trained today. We will see tomorrow. It is good for us to have them back.” When he was questioned on whether there were any more fitness issues in his squad, the City boss said: "I don’t think so" as he urged his players to enjoy the occasion.
Guardiola added: "We cannot control it, it’s just a football game. Don’t think about the consequences of if we win or not. Think about what we have to do to beat Aston Villa. Are they going to play with Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins or just with Watkins? Play with a holding midfielder or not? McGinn on the outside or inside? This is what we have to handle. We have to be anxious? No, go there to try to enjoy the moment. If we are struggling, let’s go again and try to enjoy it. From my experience, that’s the best way to approach this situation."
"It's difficult to control your emotions when you know what you are playing for. The players are human beings but it’s football, when you think that it is over it is not over. We must do exactly what we have done in the last month. The importance is unnecessary to tell them. They know it, they feel it. You have to expect something but we know we can react the best way possible."
