"We will be back, I know that; I don’t know when" - Pep Guardiola amid Manchester City's struggles this season

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola opened up on the club's struggles this season. The Cityzens have been stuck deep in an uncharacteristically poor run of form for quite some time now.

Having won the Premier League title four seasons in a row, City were widely expected to gun for a fifth. However, things have not gone to plan. They have already been knocked out of the EFL Cup in the Round of 16 by Tottenham Hotspur.

The 2-1 defeat to Spurs on October 30 was the start of their troubles, as they have yet to win a match since. Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion beat them in the Premier League, while Sporting CP shocked them 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League.

They faced Tottenham again in the Premier League and received a 4-0 beating in front of their fans at the Etihad. In their most recent Champions League game against Feyenoord, they blew a three-goal lead to draw 3-3.

In his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester City's crucial Premier League game against Liverpool, Pep Guardiola opened up about his side's concerns. When asked if the poor run of games had become a crisis, he said (via Manchester Evening News):

"Up to you, when you write it. We are second, not in good moment is results. We play more than this but not enough to win games. I said many times, we have to live it as a club and players to give what we have done in the past. We will be back, I know it. I don't know when.

"You can judge the situation, when a team have control in the PL for many years, it's normal this goes on. Maybe the exception was the past and not now - how we stand up is the big success in life. How many time you stand up."

Pep Guardiola will hope that he can lead Manchester City to a win in their upcoming league clash against the Reds on Sunday, December 1. This would be a decent step to start getting back on track.

---

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola impressed with Liverpool head coach Arne Slot

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola also spoke about Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, commending the new Reds boss for a solid start to life in England. Guardiola said (via Manchester Evening News):

"Really good. More positional game, the transitions are still there from every corner or free kick for you is a transition for them. Was Mane, Firmino, Salah - now Diaz, Nunez, Salah. In the past fighting the biggest battles against Liverpool, always a big consideration for this club. Nothing changes, lost one game in all competitions."

Guardiola will need to secure a win over Liverpool for Manchester City to remain in the top four. A loss, with other results going against them, could push the Cityzens into fifth place.