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MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola has urged his Manchester City side to grasp the chance at greatness by claiming a fourth Premier League title in five seasons by holding off Liverpool’s title charge on Sunday.
Guardiola’s side are one point clear of the quadruple-chasing Reds heading into the final day of the season.
City face Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium knowing a victory is enough to seal the title.
But if City drop points, Liverpool will be crowned champions for a English record-equalling 20th time if they beat Wolves at Anfield.
Another league title would be Guardiola’s 10th in just 13 seasons as a manager after winning three La Liga and Bundesliga crowns with Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Only legendary former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson’s 13 English titles in 27 years at Old Trafford can rival Guardiola’s strike rate in Europe’s top leagues in the modern era.
“Of course it would be great to win four in five seasons. When I arrive and people here say the Premier League is really difficult, the toughest one, everyone wins different ones.
“Just Sir Alex Ferguson with United could do four in five years. When this happens, you realise the magnitude of this United (team) in this period and how they were able to do it many times.
“We’re close to being a part of that and we have to try to take it.”
Holding off Liverpool would be arguably City’s finest achievement in Guardiola’s six-year reign.
Jurgen Klopp’s side, who were beaten to the title by City on the last day of the 2018-19 season, are in the midst of an historic attempt to win the quadruple.
