Reds hope for Man.City slip-up post Magpies win

Manchester City must overhaul Liverpool once more in a titanic Premier League title race when Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers attempts to help out his old club at the Etihad on Monday.

The destiny of the title remains in City’s hands as Pep Guardiola’s men have two games to play to Liverpool’s one.

But the Reds refuse to give up on a first league title in 29 years as Divock Origi’s late winner in a thrilling 3-2 victory at Newcastle on Saturday sent them two points ahead at the top of the table once more.

Rodgers came closer to ending that drought than any other Liverpool boss over the past three decades as his side fell just two points short of City in 2013/14.

And in just over two months in charge, the Northern Irishman has rejuvenated the Foxes to give Leicester an outside chance of European football next season if they win their final two games of the season.

“I think Brendan shows his incredible quality as a manager that in just two months his team play already they way he wants to play,” said City boss Pep Guardiola.

“They are so fast players, they have incredible quality. I was really impressed with the way they play, the players know it will be an incredible task for us, but of course it’s already a final for us.”

Guardiola has laughed off suggestions that Leicester will come to the Etihad Stadium in holiday mode.

The City boss is adamant the Foxes, who could still finish seventh and qualify for Europe next season, will give nothing else less than 100%.

“That is not going to happen,” Guardiola told journalists.

“It makes no sense, sorry, forget about it. I cannot imagine Leicester players coming here for their holidays.

“They have the chance to finish seventh. They are going to try and get a win for sure.”

Similar questions have been asked of Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United, who face Liverpool on Saturday knowing they have guaranteed Premier League football for another season.

Pep, however, is equally as convinced that they will show the same desire as he expects from Leicester.

“I can’t imagine going to former clubs and not going to win the game,” he added.

“I don’t have doubts about that. They all want to win, all the players and managers.”

Guardiola also revealed that he will be tuning in to watch how Jurgen Klopp’s side get on and provided a fitness update on Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho.

However, Liverpool have been waiting a long time for City to slip up.

Guardiola’s men are on a 12-game winning run in the Premier League and have had the rare luxury of eight days off since they edged out Burnley 1-0 last weekend.

Yet, with City travelling to lowly Brighton on the final day of the season with the Seagulls now safe after Cardiff’s relegation on Saturday, Leicester and Rodgers present their best chance of springing a surprise.

The Foxes beat City when the sides last met in December and held Liverpool at Anfield in January.

Leicester also thrashed Arsenal 3-0 last weekend in their most complete performance since Rodgers took charge and Jamie Vardy has enjoyed the change of management more than most by bagging nine goals in eight games.

“We’ve got real speed in the team. You’ve got to be super compact as a team and tight,” said Rodgers on the thread of Vardy.

“They’re littered with world class players and world class players will always find the space.

“You’ve got to try and nullify the space and then you know that when you break through that pressure there’s going to be space, and that’s something this team are very, very good at.”

Agencies