Pep Guardiola showed class as he immediately congratulated Liverpool on their Premier League title win moments after Manchester City reached the FA Cup Final.
On Sunday, Liverpool hosted struggling Spurs at Anfield knowing just a point would secure a second Premier League title in club history – and tie Manchester United ’s record of 20 First Division titles. Dominic Solanke threatened to spoil the party when he opened the scoring, but the Reds hit back through first-half goals from Luis Diaz, that survived an offside check, Alexis Mac Allister, and Cody Gakpo – who passionately celebrated with a touching message.
Mohamed Salah continued the drubbing in the second half, while Liverpool forced a Destiny Udogie own goal in the 5-1 victory over Tottenham. Meanwhile, City – who sit fourth in the league behind Arsenal and Newcastle United – celebrated down in London as Guardiola’s team advanced to the FA Cup Final.
It’s been a season to forget for the reigning champions, who suffered a sharp decline in form once influential midfielder Rodri went down with a torn ACL. But silverware still beckons as City defeated Nottingham Forest to reach the FA Cup Final, where Crystal Palace await.
After goals from Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol saw City past Forest, Guardiola was quick to show respect to Liverpool. He said: “Before we start, on behalf of myself and the club we want to congratulate Liverpool for their Premier League victory.
“Well deserved, no doubt about that, a fantastic team. Give me one year, like It happened the last four years and hopefully next season we can do better and compete until the end of the season. Liverpool, congratulations.”
(Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Guardiola was locked in a fierce rivalry with Liverpool and former manager Jurgen Klopp for years, as the two consistently battled for titles on an annual basis. While the Reds bested the Catalonian in 2019-20, Guardiola often emerged victorious before Arsenal emerged as City’s primary contender over the last two seasons.
But Arne Slot’s arrival coincided with a City off season, and the Dutchman has guided the Reds to Premier League glory as injury-hit Arsenal faltered over the grind of the sesaon. As a result, Slot has joined an exclusive club as the fifth manager to win the Premier League in his first season in England, following Jose Mourinho (2004-05), Carlo Ancelotti (2009-10), Manuel Pellegrini (2013-14) and Antonio Conte (2016-17).
Speaking to Sky Sports after clinching the title, the 46-year-old said: “It is difficult to put into words. The scenes here and before the game tells you more than I can describe. [The fans being here] is what makes it special. Three or four years ago they won the league. It was an amazing accomplishment, but the fans weren’t there. So you can feel how important it was for them to be here. And the boys did an outstanding job today, including our fans.”
