Defeating Liverpool, Manchester City Warns Arsenal About Premier League Title Race

JAKARTA - Pep Guardiola said Manchester City's 3-0 victory over Liverpool proved they were ready to compete for the Premier League title.

The Citizens are now four points behind leaders Arsenal, thanks to goals from Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez, and Jeremy Doku.

The result against Liverpool came 24 hours after Mikel Arteta's side drew 2-2 against Sunderland. Guardiola said after the match that the match felt significant against the reigning champions.

"I think Liverpool and we said, wow, Arsenal finally dropped points and conceded two goals."

"But in the end we had to do it, and I told the players not to do that because Arsenal didn't win yesterday."

"We believe in ourselves that we can play against the English champions and show them that we are ready to be there with them this season."

"We proved it. We did it," Guardiola said, as reported by ESPN.

Doku was Manchester City's standout performer against Liverpool, winning an early penalty that Haaland missed before scoring a stunning second-half goal.

Guardiola was impressed with the Belgian for his ability to counter Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley, who had performed brilliantly against Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior in midweek.

"He (Doku) demands himself to be better, he listens, and he has special attributes when dribbling."

"Conor (Bradley)—Liverpool's right-back—I was very, very impressed. Pep Lijnders told me a thousand incredible things about that guy, he can do everything."

"I know in the game against Real Madrid how good he was against Vinicius. But he (Doku) handled it."

"He was aggressive, quick without the ball, and we tried to help him. He played an incredible game," said Guardiola.

The win over Liverpool was the perfect way for Guardiola to celebrate his 1,000th game as a manager.

"Thank you to the players and staff for giving me a wonderful gift against the most important opponent we've faced during my time here."

"It was great to play against them and see Virgil (van Dijk), (Andy) Robertson, and Mo Salah after all the struggles we've been through."

"It was a special night with my boys here," said the Spanish coach.