“The past is the past” – Pep Guardiola throws down Premier League title gauntlet with defiant pre-Liverpool message

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a defiant message ahead of a return to Premier League action on Saturday, dismissing claims that the Blues’ title winning experience will be advantageous.

City, who are bidding to win their third straight Premier League title and fifth of Pep Guardiola’s reign, currently trail league leaders Arsenal by eight points in the title race.

The Blues face Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with City having won just one of the last six meetings between the two rivals in all competitions.

Erling Haaland is potential doubt for the clash, while Phil Foden is definitely unavailable after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix last weekend.

Arsenal, who visit Anfield next weekend in the Premier League, are still to visit City in the league this season and have played one game more than Guardiola’s treble-chasing side.

The Gunners are also solely focussed on winning a first Premier League in almost 20 years, having crashed out of the UEFA Europa League on penalties prior to the international break.

City have considerable experience in Premier League title races, with the Blues having narrowly beaten Liverpool to two titles in the past five years.

Despite Manchester City’s imperious credentials and experience, Guardiola believes that the only advantage is the eight point lead currently held by Arsenal.

“The advantage is eight points in front of us, this is a real advantage. The past is the past. Experience doesn’t count. Absolutely nothing.

“Sometimes managers and players say, ‘I don’t have to show anything, I don’t have to demonstrate anything because of what I have done in the past’. It’s the most awful sentence, every time I hear players or managers thinking of that.

“You have to prove it every single day, again and again and again. The past is the past. The memories when you are a grandfather, it’s okay, it’s nice. But the reality? The people come to the Etihad Stadium tomorrow at 12:30 don’t think about what we have done in the past.

“You have to show (it), you have to, again and again. Otherwise you have to retire,” concluded Guardiola.

“I would love to be in Arsenal’s position. To have won four Premier League titles in the last five years, I would love, I would prefer to be in Arsenal’s position in the Premier League than we have. And I will give the experience to them,” continued the Catalan.

“I never felt that I am going to play a game, to try and play a game thinking that because I have experience in the past that I am going to win this game.

“Every situation, every game is completely different, and the opponent is different, personal and professional situations are completely different every season.

“That’s why I absolutely never pay attention to that. In the good ways, and bad ways.”