Pep Guardiola calls on Man City fans for help against Liverpool FC

Pep Guardiola challenged Manchester City supporters to lift the team in the bad moments he expects them to have against Liverpool. City take on a Jurgen Klopp side that are in incredible form and know that they can knock the Blues off top spot if they win at the Etihad on Sunday.

Guardiola knows how strong an opponent Liverpool are, given they have been City's biggest rivals over the course of the past five years and been one of just two teams to stop them from winning the title. And having used the ballboys to help his team get past Atletico in the Champions League in midweek, the Catalan called on the fans to make their home advantage count once again.

"We know we are going to defend parts of the game to sit back, not because we don't want but because it is almost impossible for the way they do," he said. "Hopefully our people can come back and support us in the bad moments, be there and be aggressive to support us in the bad moments we have and I'm pretty sure our players will respond."

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City only need a draw against Liverpool to stay top of the league, given they take a one-point advantage into the game. With only seven matches remaining after Sunday, whoever is second after this weekend will not have long to overturn the deficit.

Guardiola joked that his team would set up to play for a draw, but said that that advantage could come into play during the game as City do what it takes to stay on top of the table.

"We train today to sit back 90 minutes, 0-0? No, never in my life I play to draw," he said. "Listen, I'm not stupid so if there are five minutes left and we have to keep the result then that's what we will do. But we will