'Huge mistake' - Pep Guardiola says what Man City must avoid at all costs ahead of Liverpool

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City cannot afford to overreact to their worst ever run under his management as they look to stay in touch with Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Arne Slot's side can move eight points clear with a win at Southampton on Sunday and host the Blues at Anfield - a ground where City and Guardiola have a wretched record - next Sunday. City's coach agreed that an 11-point gap would be 'too much' with both teams going in different directions but also said they are in no position to be thinking about the title now.

City were second-best too often in their 4-0 home drubbing at the hands of Spurs and improvement is needed across the team and the squad if they are lift themselves to the heights they have climbed so often. As much as the manager admitted City are having mental issues in their losing run, he is adamant that their principles have to remain.

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"We are a bit fragile right now, that is obvious," he said. "We struggled to score goals and after when they arrived they scored. We are playing a little bit in our thoughts, a little bit of negativity but this is normal.

"Football is a sense of mood and when you win a lot it gives you self awareness you can do it and when you lose three games in a row in the Premier League that situation is there. Many things are going to happen. We have to break the results because the victories help us to be more positive and confident and we have to do it.

"I would say the mistake is to think too much about analysing what happened and the other mistake would be after eight years going in that