Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says it is unrealistic to think his side can now challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title after falling 14 points behind the Reds.

Jurgen Klopp’s men had already won 3-0 at Bournemouth before the Citizens succumbed to a surprise 2-1 home defeat in the Manchester derby, and asked about the club’s title hopes after the game last night, Guardiola replied:

“We have to try to continue. There are many things to play for. We think about what we have to do and the next game – it is not realistic to think about catching up.”

“Obviously it is so difficult because the opponents have had 16 games with 15 victories and they are on an incredible run and sometimes we have dropped points. But our duty, and what you have to do, is continue.”

City’s focus will most likely turn to the Champions League; a competition which has so far eluded them in the Sheikh Mansour era, but they will certainly try to keep some pressure on Liverpool if the Merseysider’s red hot form begins to slip away in the coming months.

However, the Reds would now have to lose four times, and draw one other, if City are to catch them, but that would also depend on Guardiola’s team going on a remarkable winning streak that would exceed last season’s extraordinary run in.