'Some don't like it' - Pep Guardiola defends selection in honest Man City verdict

Pep Guardiola said his Manchester City team had to line up as they did at Anfield because they cannot compete with Liverpool's strengths.

Guardiola benched Ederson and Josko Gvardiol for the game in three changes from the 3-3 draw with Feyenoord and put caution first against a team who are flying at the top of the table. It didn't work, with the team blown away in the opening 20 minutes and never looking like turning it around, but the manager was still happy with the approach.

Referencing 'some people' who didn't like his lineup, the City manager said that while he loves wingers his team don't have the ability to cope with Liverpool or indeed any team that excels at transitions. Despite a defeat that leaves them 11 points shy of Arne Slot's side at the top of the table, Guardiola was happy with the effort shown.

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"First, we congratulate Liverpool for a well-deserved victory. The first 15-20 minutes we experienced like many other times coming here in our prime," he said. "We suffered, they deserved the goal. After, we take the game.

"I know some people don't like the lineups but we cannot compete against Liverpool and many, many other clubs that are transitional teams. I love wingers but we wanted more control because we know when they lose it they immediately contact with Salah or Luiz or Gakpo.

"They are so fast, quicker, stronger than us in that position in a game. Congratulate Liverpool. I am always positive. I know how difficult the situation is right now in terms of results but the team gave everything and I see how Ruben came back from injury and Nathan as well, how well Nathan controlled Salah in the duels.

"But our threat is not clear, we feel that we still don't have the threat that we have always had as a team. And defensively we are not solid enough right now - not today but for a few games so we have to recover to be solid behind. Kevin had the chance when the result was 0-1, maybe it should not have been 0-1 but we accept the reality of what it is and recover and Nottingham Forest."

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