It has been just over a week since City confirmed that Guardiola had signed a two-year contract extension until 2027.
He has no regrets about the deal and neither does the club after an unprecedented run of success since his arrival in 2016 that includes a record four consecutive top-flight titles and a historic treble in 2023.
“In a decade, we’ve been here,” he said. “Tell me what team in the world has been so consistent in 10 years… It doesn’t exist. Not in the NBA, not in tennis, not in golf, not in any sport.”
Guardiola must try to boost the confidence of his players, not only for the test against league leaders Liverpool, but also for the challenges that will follow.
City have also fallen out of the Champions League top eight and face a play-off in February to preserve their place in the competition if the situation does not change in their final three first-phase games.
“We’ll be back, I know it,” he said. “I don’t know when.
“In the situation we find ourselves in, it is not realistic to think about big goals. The situation is to think about the next game and what I can do to help the players.
“I don’t want to run. I asked for this opportunity. I want to be there and rebuild the team in many aspects from now until the end of the season and next season.”
City are currently second in the Premier League standings, one point clear of Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton.
