Hero Image

Pep Guardiola outlines what rivals must do to challenge Man City and Liverpool

Pep Guardiola says their Premier League rivals must rack up points with the pace of Usian Bolt if they are to match Manchester City and Liverpool.

City and Liverpool have set themselves apart from the rest of the top-flight this season, going neck-and-neck for the title and leaving the others trailing in their wake.

Guardiola's City won the title last season with a record-breaking haul of 100 points last season and can make it back-to-back league triumphs with three wins and a total points haul of 98.

Against that backdrop, Guardiola said Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United must reach in excess of 90 points in future seasons if they are to have any chance of catching City and Liverpool.

Asked if he can see City and Liverpool slugging it for the title for years to come, while the rest are in their slipstream, Guardiola said: “I don’t know in the future. But I know the standards we created last year at Manchester City.

Premier League predictions: Robbie Savage gives verdict on Man Utd vs Chelsea

“People know that now you have to be close to 100 points - before it was 90. That standard was set last season.

“We helped Liverpool to achieve it this season and Liverpool helped us to keep going. So, thanks to Liverpool, we're competing. Liverpool know that to win you have to make a lot of points. That’s what we communicate to everyone.”

Third-placed Tottenham trail City by 19 points, Chelsea are 22 behind, with Arsenal and Manchester United 23 and 25 points adrift respectively.

Although Guardiola paid lip service to the chasing pack, suggesting they will get better, the reality is they will have to undergo a dramatic improvement to have any chance of gatecrashing City and Liverpool's private title duel.

“Next season, Chelsea are getting better, United, Tottenham,” he said. “When you're 25 points above united, 22 ahead of the others, if you want to get better, you have to increase the standard.

Luis Suarez spots difference between 2014 Liverpool team and current title-chasers

“Before it was easier than last season - everybody could lose to anybody. This season two teams won a lot of games. That's the standard we have set.

“Like Usain Bolt when he does a 100 metre race – that's the standard. Other people have to reach it.

“Like Jack Nicklaus with 18 Grand Slams and Tiger Woods, that’s the standard, it's the same. 100 points last season? If you want to compete you have to do that.

“I say right now, to maintain that level now, after what we’ve done, I'd sign for that. I don't expect more than that.

“To do that we have to push each other, knowing the other teams are at the same level as us, focus on every single game, do what you have to do to win that game, respect the opponents, work hard, improve on what we have done this season - that’s the only way I know.”

READ ON APP