Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said his team know they can’t drop too many points in the battle with Liverpool at the top of the table.

The Reds extended the gap to eight points briefly with their win against Sheffield United earlier in the day, but City’s 3-1 win over Everton reduced the margin, and Guardiola says there are many games left to go over the coming months in order to get back on terms with their rivals:

“We knew Liverpool won again and the gap was eight points, so big. So we won three points and it’s five in September, with a lot of points to play for.”

“We know which team we’re playing [in the title race] right now, they are seven victories in a row, champions of Europe and playing good football. This is our rival and we know we can’t drop too many points because last season they lost just one game.”

“The season is long, we have to keep going and be there, maybe we can push them a little bit more and try to make the third Premier League in a row.”

City had to work hard in order to secure victory at Goodison Park, but it must be said that Liverpool also struggled to overcome the Blades with their frontline failing to fire in the 1-0 win at Bramall Lane.

In contrast, the Citizens have now scored 17 goals in their last four games, and while the defence is looking far from secure, if they continue scoring at that rate, they will surely outscore the opposition in most matches.