Manchester City v Liverpool: Pep Guardiola hopes for a ‘perfect game’ at the Etihad

Manchester City go into the second leg of the Uefa Champions League after a back-to-back defeat by the Reds and fellow city rivals Manchester United in weekend derby.

City’s manager Pep Gaurdiola described the weekend as being a ‘tough’ week as he saw his side loose two straight matches.

Manchester City will have to play the “perfect game” on Tuesday and utilize the chances that will be created to overturn a 3-0 deficit in their Champions League quarter-final clash against fellow EPL rival Liverpool, says manager Pep Guardiola.

The Spaniard said he is still very optimistic and have great belief in his “extraordinary “side.

“The only way to play good football is to be positive,” he stated.

“To go through you have to make the perfect game, create chances and concede few chances. The chances we receive, we have to defend well.

“We have 90 minutes and anything can happen. All we are going to do is try.

“We have 90 minutes plus extra time and what we have shown this year; even in the last game – is we create a lot of chances in the last few minutes.”

Guardiola was asked whether his side’s mental state was affected by the two defeats in the past week, he quipped: “I don’t know.

“But, if we are not able to cope with that psychologically, it will be a good lesson for the future.

“It is a test. Football, like life, is a challenge.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Manchester City’s back-to-back defeats goes further to show that they are “Human beings” but went on to add that his side will have to be “at their best again”.

“We are not thinking about who is favourite,” he said.

“We all know about Pep –best coach in the world. It was clear they would be outstanding but there is no perfect football team in the world.

“They have it most consistently, that is why they will be champions, but we know they can concede goals.”

Both teams meet again on Tuesday for the second leg of the Uefa Champions League. Can Manchester City pull a surprise comeback or is it all won and lose?