This archive report was first published on 9 December 2019.
Manchester City's disappointing form in the Premier League has left them 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, a reality that manager Pep Guardiola has reluctantly accepted.
Speaking after their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday, Guardiola acknowledged that his team is struggling to compete with the top European teams, including Liverpool, Barcelona, and Juventus.
"That is the level we face, against Liverpool, United, Barcelona, Madrid, Juventus - they are the teams we have to face and the reality is maybe we are not able now to compete with them," Guardiola told Sky Sports.
Guardiola's comments come as City's backline has been ravaged by injury, with the team fielding defensive midfielder Fernando in central defence in recent games.
Despite their struggles, City are still in action on Wednesday when they visit Dynamo Zagreb in the Champions League, where they have already sealed progress to the knockout rounds as Group C winners.
