Pep Guardiola sensationally claims ‘maybe I deserve to be sacked’ after 2-0 hammerblow by Liverpool – and admits Man City ‘can’t handle’ facing good teams amid seven-match winless run

Pep Guardiola says his Manchester City team ‘cannot handle’ playing against good sides at the moment after Liverpool moved 11 points clear of the champions yesterday.

Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the first half before Mohamed Salah confirmed the points from the penalty spot late on to cap off a fine week for Arne Slot after they also toppled Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Guardiola was subjected to ‘sacked in the morning’ chants from home fans after City’s winless run extended to seven games and he replied with a light-hearted gesture of lifting up six fingers to note how many league titles he has won in England.

But he said: ‘We’re not used to this for many reasons, but many, many things happen. Teams are good and we can’t handle it right now.

‘What can I say? These players have given me the chance to live maybe the best years of my life. All I can do is be here to try and find a solution. In the right moment the club will take a decision about what is needed to allow this club to still be there.

‘I didn’t expect Anfield to start to chant that I would be sacked. Maybe I deserved to be sacked! WIth our results, maybe I’m still in the job because I won six Premier Leagues and a lot of titles.

The champions are now winless in seven matches after their defeat by Liverpool on Sunday 

Goals by Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah condemned Man City to a fourth straight league loss

‘At Anfield I didn’t expect it but it’s fine. It’s part of the game. When you win, you laugh. When you lose, you laugh. There have been incredible battles. The time with Jurgen Klopp was unforgettable for me and the battles with Liverpool have been for ever.

‘Even winning the leagues with little margin, their teams were amazing as but fortunately we were so resilient and strong mentally at our best it helped us to do something magnificent.

‘Now this season it will be so difficult to repeat but I’m pretty sure all of us will reflect and try to come on strong with our fans at the Etihad against Nottingham Forest (on Wednesday).’

Guardiola made a big call to drop goalkeeper Ederson and start Stefan Ortega, who played well other than conceding a penalty. But the German had a sly dig at Liverpool after the game.

‘Someone told me before that this area (Liverpool) is probably not the best part in the UK,’ said the goalkeeper. ‘I think the manager reacted really well (to the chants) yeah.’