‘The Distance is’ – Pep Guardiola Makes New Liverpool Claim After Lifting Premier League Trophy
Liverpool secured the Premier League title, finishing 13 points clear of Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola has promised significant improvements for Manchester City next season but admitted the gap between his team and Liverpool remains ‘huge’.
After winning the league for the previous four seasons, City lost the Premier League crown. Liverpool capitalised on City’s slip and secured their 20th English league title.
City ended the season in third place, clinching a spot in the 2025-26 Champions League following a 2-1 victory over Fulham on the final day. Just months ago, qualification for Europe’s top competition seemed unlikely. The Etihad Stadium side concluded the season without any trophies, having suffered defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final earlier this month.
Guardiola is now focused on reclaiming the title from Liverpool next season. The club is expected to be active in the transfer market, with key player Kevin De Bruyne set to leave after declining to renew his contract.
What Has Been Said
However, Guardiola is fully aware that closing the 13-point gap to Arne Slot’s champions will be a tough challenge. Speaking to BBC Sport, the former Barcelona manager stated:
“We started really well and, after that, we had the momentum. It was in our hands and we did our job. It has been a tough year but we never gave up. I’m very proud and pleased for the team. Now we will recover and next season we will be better.”
“It is like a title [because of] the obstacles. When you continue [a poor run of form], you finish 10th or 11th or 12th or 13th. This is the destiny of all the teams in the Premier League when they are in November, December or January and cannot fight for the Premier League, like we have done for many years. People can say: ‘I don’t want to fight again, just to qualify for the Europa League.’
“But we continued playing good, we were there and we did it. At the end of it all, we have finished third. We are not miles away from Arsenal but the distance to Liverpool is huge. We have to improve – and hopefully we can do it.”
Club World Cup Challenge
City are gearing up to take part in the first-ever Club World Cup, starting next month in the USA. This means players such as Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush, and their teammates will have a shorter summer break before the new season begins.
Nevertheless, Guardiola feels honoured to be involved in the tournament, where the winners stand to earn £90 million in prize money. He added:
“It is an honour to be there for what we have done in the past. We are going to prepare to compete well and prepare for next season.”
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