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Pep Guardiola: 'Every game is a final against incredible Liverpool'

Pep Guardiola: 'Every game is a final'
© Reuters
The Argentinian was substituted at Fulham with a muscle problem.

Sergio Aguero will miss Manchester City's midweek clash with Cardiff through injury.

The Premier League's top scorer with 19 goals this season was substituted with a muscle problem in Saturday's victory over Fulham and will not be risked at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

City hope the Argentinian will be fit to return for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Brighton at Wembley and next week's Champions League quarter-final first-leg at Tottenham.

Sergio Aguero (right) is substituted for Gabriel Jesus at Fulham
Sergio Aguero (right) is substituted for Gabriel Jesus at Fulham (Jonathan Brady/PA)

"He didn't train the last two days (and) tomorrow is not able (to play)," said manager Pep Guardiola. "Hopefully next Saturday, next Wednesday (he can). We will see his evolution in the next days."

Champions City can return to the top of the table with victory over the Bluebirds after Liverpool leapfrogged them on Sunday.

The Reds, who have played one game more, beat third-placed Tottenham with a stoppage-time winner at Anfield.

Asked for his reaction to that late Toby Alderweireld own goal, Guardiola said at a press conference: "When you see them you say 'ah s***' but nobody said it would be easy, nobody. We knew it, I knew it.

Toby Alderweireld scored a last-gasp own goal to snatch Liverpool victory
Toby Alderweireld scored a last-gasp own goal to snatch Liverpool victory (Martin Rickett/PA)

"It is a better challenge. After a while you say it would be amazing what we are going to live. It is an incredible team to fight against."

City are chasing an unprecedented quadruple this season and, while Guardiola has regularly talked down the prospect of a clean sweep of trophies, he wants to savour the season at every opportunity.

He said: "Everybody is excited for what we are going to live in the next weeks. It is not so complicated to understand that but, at the same time, say 'wow', it is amazing to live this opportunity.

"To beat Cardiff, the main target to come back top of the league with six games left and then after go to Wembley to achieve the one final I never play in my life, and the oldest trophy ever, and then after Champions League.

Pep Guardiola celebrates after the win at Fulham
Pep Guardiola celebrates after the win at Fulham (Jonathan Brady/PA)

"We pass tough moments during the season to live that moment and we are fortunate to do it."

Relegation-threatened Cardiff have been cut five points adrift of safety in 18th place but they performed well before being beaten in controversial circumstances by Chelsea at the weekend.

Guardiola said: "We know what we are playing for. It is a final for us every single game.

"Cardiff – what I saw against Chelsea last game – is alive. They have incredible spirit and what they do, they do well. It is not a team that is already done."


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Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero celebrates after scoring against West Ham in the Premier League on February 27, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool33257175205582
2Manchester CityMan City32262483216280
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs322111060342664
4Arsenal31196665392663
5Chelsea32196755342163
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd32187761431861
7Leicester CityLeicester33145144443147
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32138114039147
9Watford32137124747046
10Everton32127134542343
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham32126144148-742
12Bournemouth33115174460-1638
13Crystal Palace33107163843-537
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3399153142-1136
15Burnley33106173960-2136
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3196163246-1433
17Southampton3289153653-1733
18Cardiff CityCardiff3284202861-3328
RFulham3345243076-4617
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3335251861-4314

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