Pep Guardiola has urged Manchester City 's players and fans to bring a fiery passion to their huge game at home to Liverpool in Saturday's early kick-off.
City, who're notably without injured star Erling Haaland, can't afford many more slip-ups in the title race as they look to catch Premier League leaders Arsenal. Guardiola and co currently trail them by eight points but boast a game in hand, and the Citizens boss - who earlier this season criticised his fans for their lack of passion and jeers during a dramatic win against Tottenham - has called on the Etihad Stadium to unite for the final stretch of what's been a topsy-turvy campaign.
"I can see the desire in the eyes of my players," Guardiola wrote in his programme notes. "They are so professional and they give everything they have for this club. They have shown in the last five, six years exactly what they are capable of, and I trust them completely. They are a dream to manage and I am so proud of every single one of them."
Directly addressing City's supporters, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager said: "Thank you for being here to support us. Believe me, we are going to need you guys in these final weeks of the season. Your noise, energy, passion… it means SO much to us and really does make a difference. I appreciate it and know my players do."
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Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)While City have got some catching up to do in the league, there's still the possibility of an incredible treble win this season. Facing Bayern in the Champions League quarter-finals and Sheffield United in the FA Cup semis, Guardiola is hoping to lead the Citizens to their most famous campaign yet - but knows that it won't be easy.
"It's so difficult, okay we have this game but we have a tough, tough schedule with many games," he went on to say. "After many, many years, we are fighting for that. We are in all competitions, that is awesome." The most important thing is we are fighting for everything, three things, that is so good. Winning is good but sustaining for 10/11 months is so difficult. Still, we are there."
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Getty Images)As for Saturday's fixture against an out-of-sorts Liverpool side, Guardiola added: "We know each other for many years, so one more [game]. They remain an exceptional team. My opinion doesn't change."
Haaland's absence serves as a major blow to City, having scored a sensational 42 goals in his first term with the club. As the 22-year-old Norwegian striker was left out of the squad altogether, Julian Alvarez was picked to lead the line, supplemented by wide forwards Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish.