Before the start of the 2018-19 Premier League season, almost every pundit put their bets on Manchester City to defend their title come May of 2019.
While every one of them has turned out to be correct but what they could not have predicted is the fight that Liverpool gave to Pep Guardiola’s side all throughout the season.
Man City did manage to win the Premier League but that happened on the final day of the season and with a margin of just a single point.
Liverpool were sensational during the whole campaign losing only one game in the league and this is why Pep Guardiola has come out to claim that fending off such a top Liverpool side had made the Premier League victory even sweeter.
“The fact we played these 14 games knowing if we draw a game or if we lose a game it will be difficult to retain the title,” Guardiola said in an interview(as reported by MEN).
“I think they helped us to be a better team, I am 100 per cent convinced on that.
“The value of your title depends on the quality of your contender, your big rival, and I cannot find a better one than Liverpool.”
The Man City boss also revealed why managing in England is totally different from the other leagues in Europe.
Guardiola told City TV: “There’s no better place in the world to do your job as a manager than here in England,
“I can compare it to Spain and Germany. I have not been in other countries but if I go to Italy it would be quite similar like in Spain. There’s no better place [than here].
“In other places, fans boo you if you don’t win. Here they always support you. I am a blue shirt, I am one of yours.
“That’s why I’m happy to reward the confidence they have with me for the next two seasons. It’s been a pleasure, and the best is coming.”
Man City ended up picking up the domestic season – winning the EFL Cup and the FA Cup along with the Premier League.
But the Anfield outfit were able to douse their league disappointment by beating Spurs in the Champions League final.
