'I have to prove myself', says Guardiola ahead of Liverpool clash

Pep Guardiola has said that he needs to "prove" he can end Manchester City's poor form and guide them back to the top. 

Guardiola's side have not won in six matches and gave up a 3-0 lead to draw against Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday, albeit ending their five-match losing run. 

City have lost their last three Premier League games, as many as they had in their previous 47 combined (W35 D9). They last lost four in a row between April and August 2008, while they last did so in the same season between January and March 2007 (five).

Their next outing is against Liverpool at Anfield - a venue where they have won just once in their last 21 trips in the Premier League, with Liverpool winning 13 and drawing the other seven.

"Of course, it's not nice, but what do you expect? That everything is red carpet? That everything is nice and easy?" Guardiola said.

"It's easy when you are [winning] 10, 12 games in a row, everyone is fit, everyone is in their prime and everyone is 26, 27, 28. When everything is going well, it is easy.

"I have to prove myself now."

Guardiola, who signed a new two-year contract extension this month, has won 18 major trophies during his time at the club, including City's first-ever Champions League in 2023 and six Premier League titles.

The new deal will take the Spaniard's tenure at the club to over a decade, making him City's longest-serving manager since Les McDowall in 1963.

But Guardiola hinted he could leave Manchester if he cannot turn around the club's season. 

"In long careers - nine, 10, 11 years - you live all the situations. We lost five games, drew the last one when we should have won, but it happens in football sometimes," the 53-year-old said. 

"[I have to] accept it. No complaining, no blaming, no pointing. Don't run away from your responsibility. I have absolutely all on my shoulders. I have it and I want it.

"At this football club, you have to win. If you don't, you will be in trouble. I know the people say 'Why is Pep not in trouble, why is Pep not sacked?' I have this margin because of what we have done over the last eight years. The people rely on me.

"What's for sure is, I want to stay. But the moment I feel I am not positive for the club another one will come. We will be back, I know that. I don't know when.

"In the situation we are in, it is not realistic to think about big targets. The situation is to think about the next game and what I can do to help the players. I don't want to run. I asked for this opportunity. I want to be there and rebuild the team in many aspects from now on until the end of the season and next season." 

Sunday's game will be the first-ever meeting between Guardiola and Arne Slot, who has made a bright start to his role at Liverpool by guiding them eight points clear of City after 12 matches.