Guardiola clear about strength of Premier League as Liverpool close in on title (2025)

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City are fighting for Champions League qualification this season, with Liverpool set to claim top spot for the first time since 2020

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has talked up the overall level of the Premier League as rivals Liverpool close in on the title. Arne Slot's team will be crowned champions on Wednesday if Arsenal lose to Crystal Palace, while just three more points will do it even if Arsenal win all their remaining matches.

It's already mathematically impossible for reigning champions City to make it five league titles in a row. They're not even assured of Champions League qualification, though a last-gasp win over Aston Villa on Tuesday night means their fate is still in their own hands in that respect..

Reflecting on Matheus Nunes' late winner, Guardiola spoke about his team's rivals in glowing terms. “We are not used to it. The last-minute win belongs to Liverpool,” the Catalan said.

“The team (City) fought a lot, the performance was really good. It is a fantastic team. The season has been bad. It doesn’t matter about the final or if we finish in the Champions League.

“What makes you feel good is the Premier League. It happened, and sometimes you have bad seasons. Liverpool will be champions and the level of teams is outstanding.”

City took an early lead against Villa through Bernardo Silva, only for Marcus Rashford's penalty to ensure the teams went in level at half-time. It remained 1-1 heading into second-half stoppage-time, only for Nunes to sneak in at the back post to turn home a Jeremy Doku cross at the death.

The victory took City up to third, though Nottingham Forest and Newcastle can both overtake them with victories in their respective games in hand. Villa's defeat leaves them down in seventh, with Unai Emery's side now facing a battle to claim one of five Champions League qualification spots.

City don't have a Premier League match this weekend due to their FA Cup involvement. Nottingham Forest are their opponents at Wembley on Sunday, and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega - who continued to deputise for Ederson against Villa - believes he and his team-mates can build on their dramatic midweek win.

"It gives us a lot of boost," Ortega told BBC Sport. "This season has been really tough. Especially now in the last few weeks of the season.

"We have started to get the energy back and everyone is playing good and now you can see what we can do. The target is to finish this season as best as possible and to qualify for the Champions League."

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