Haaland’s Fitness Boost, Man City’s 115 Charges, and Klopp Rivalry Take Center Stage

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

Pep Guardiola’s pre-match press conference took place prior to Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League clash with Liverpool.

Here are the key points from his media address:

• Guardiola remains optimistic about Erling Haaland’s availability: “He trained yesterday with some niggles, today we train and hope he can be part of it.”

• His stance on Manchester City’s 115 Premier League charges for financial rule breaches remains unchanged following Everton‘s 10-point deduction last week: “Why should I not believe? What’s changed? I know when people are saying, ‘Okay, City – why don’t they go to the Conference?’ Wait. Wait. What’s going to happen is going to happen.”

• When asked if there was a potentially severe punishment that would lead him to leave, Guardiola responded: “You are questioning like we have been punished. And in the moment we are innocent. But absolutely I will not consider my future (if) it depends being here or being in League One. There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we win the Champions League.”

• He downplayed the significance of emotions in the upcoming game: “It’s not about balancing [the emotions]. It’s how many players are available, what we need to beat them and trying to impose our game, knowing how difficult it is.”

• Guardiola expressed his prior anticipation of a competitive season: “Of course, we have already played 11 tough games. We could not have expected to be in this position [at the top], but with four or five teams, it is so tight.”

• Regarding his rivalry with Jurgen Klopp, Guardiola acknowledged: “He made me a better manager through his teams. They [Liverpool] are a fantastic team – a top side, no doubt.”

• He emphasized the mutual respect in the rivalry City has developed with Liverpool over recent seasons: “I think we are old friends and know each other quite well.”

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