LONDON — Pep Guardiola has laughed off suggestions that Manchester City have already taken control of the Premier League title race after Liverpool’s early misses on Friday.
City and Liverpool were almost inseparable last season, with City winning a fourth title in five years on the final day.
Guardiola’s side started the new campaign well with two wins from two games and no goals conceded, while Liverpool drew with Fulham and Crystal Palace.
“It’s very early days. I’m sorry but after two games we can’t make any more plans for the future,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of Sunday’s trip to face Newcastle United. “After two games? Yeah yeah, just 111 points to play.”
The Spaniard says a good pre-season has helped his players get off to a good start, but said September will be tougher when games are dense and fast-paced.
“The three weeks have been good, good long weeks of training. In September it’s not going to happen. We have to improve our principles, our game,” he said.
“The last two games have been really good, and at some unexpected moments. The players are proving me again how wrong I was.”
Guardiola will be wary of a Newcastle side that thrived under Eddie Howe and started the season strong.
“They are exceptional players in terms of directness and aggression. They have important players. Newcastle are always an incredible environment,” Guardiola said.
After the Newcastle match, City will fly to Girona in Spain for a mid-season training camp and charity friendly against Barcelona in honor of former Barcelona goalkeeper and assistant Juan Carlos Unzue, who been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2020.
Guardiola said he would like to put on his boots and play but is unlikely to, and he insisted it was a good opportunity for his players to recharge their batteries before the League resumes champions.
“We will be together and the facilities we have here for 11 months are exceptional but at the same time sometimes a change is good,” Guardiola said. “It’s the last time we have a long week, then every three days we have a game.”