Pep Guardiola Issues Premier League Title Warning After Manchester City’s 3–0 Victory Over Liverpool

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has declared that his side are “ready to go for the title” after a resounding 3–0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday. The win not only lifted City to second place in the Premier League table but also sent a strong message to their rivals ahead of the international break.

Goals from Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez, and Jeremy Doku sealed a crucial win for Guardiola’s men, who now sit just four points behind leaders Arsenal. The victory came on a special night for Guardiola — his 1,000th career match as a manager, during which he celebrated his 716th managerial win.

Guardiola’s Message to His Players

Speaking after the match, Guardiola revealed the motivation behind his team talk, emphasizing belief over opportunity.

“I think Liverpool and us both thought, ‘Oh wow, Arsenal dropped points finally,’” Guardiola said. “But I told the players — don’t do it because Arsenal didn’t win. Do it because we believe in ourselves and can play against the champions of England. Show that we’re ready to be there with them this season. Today we proved it.”

The victory came just a day after Arsenal were held to a 2–2 draw against Sunderland, opening the door for City to close the gap in the title race. Guardiola’s words echoed confidence and purpose, underlining the mentality that has defined his reign at Manchester City.

Jeremy Doku Steals the Show

While Haaland and Gonzalez found the net, it was Jeremy Doku who drew praise for a dazzling performance on the left wing. The Belgian winger tormented Liverpool’s young right-back Connor Bradley, showcasing pace, aggression, and creativity that kept City in control of the flanks.

Guardiola was full of admiration for Doku’s contribution, saying the 23-year-old continues to push himself toward improvement.

“He’s demanding himself to be better, and he listens. He has special attributes with his dribbles,” Guardiola said. “Conor Bradley is a very talented player — Pep Lijnders told me incredible things about him, and he did well against Vinícius [Junior] against Real Madrid. But today, Doku handled it. He was aggressive, quick without the ball, and played an outstanding game.”

The winger’s form has been one of the biggest positives for City this season, adding an explosive edge to their attacking setup.

A Milestone Night for Guardiola

The victory was particularly meaningful for Guardiola, marking his 1,000th game as a professional manager. Reflecting on the milestone, he expressed gratitude to his squad for making the occasion special with such a commanding win.

“Thank you to the players and staff for giving me an incredible present against the most important opponent we’ve faced in my time here,” he said. “It’s always special playing against Liverpool — seeing Virgil [van Dijk], [Andy] Robertson, and Mo Salah after all the battles we’ve had. Having my kids here tonight made it even more special.”

Guardiola’s milestone further cements his status among football’s elite tacticians, with an unmatched consistency that has defined Manchester City’s dominance under his leadership.

City’s Title Charge Back on Track

The 3–0 result has rejuvenated City’s title challenge after a mixed start to the campaign. With Haaland returning to peak form and Doku emerging as a key attacking threat, Guardiola’s men now appear primed for a strong second half of the season.

City will resume their campaign on November 22, travelling to face Newcastle United, as Guardiola aims to keep pressure on Arsenal and maintain momentum in their quest for another Premier League crown.

After a night of milestones and mastery, Pep Guardiola’s message is clear — Manchester City are back in full stride and ready to fight for the Premier League title once again.