Pep Guardiola has defended Manchester City's title credentials despite back-to-back defeats handing Liverpool the initiative at the top of the Premier League.
Guardiola's champions endured a miserable Christmas as they were shocked by Crystal Palace and Leicester, surrendering the lead in both matches to make it three defeats in four following a loss to Chelsea earlier in December.
Unbeaten Liverpool took full advantage to make Thursday's meeting between the two clubs, live on Sky Sports, in Manchester a must-win game for Guardiola's side.
Before then City head to Southampton on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, needing to get themselves back on track, having slipped to third place behind Tottenham in the table.
During a poor run which has coincided with an injury to key midfielder Fernandinho, City have looked well short of the side that earned a record 100 points last season, but Guardiola sees a team still capable of defending their title.
"We did well so far," he said. "We got 44 points in the first round. If you get the same number of points in the second round, that's 88 points. With 88 points, you are champions. You have the numbers to be champions.
"Most of the Premier League champions in the past 20 years won it with less points. We did quite well. We did really well.
"But of course you have the past two games, against Crystal Palace and Leicester, and you have that sense, because there are two teams there now who are better than us in the last month.
"What can we say when Liverpool keep nine clean sheets and score a lot of goals? We cannot compete with that in terms of comparing with them.
"So we look at ourselves, and tomorrow against Southampton, we have to do what we do, and try to win, and when that happens, everything comes back to a normal position."
Guardiola is well known for refusing to budge from his tactical approach and laughed when he was asked if he thought he might need to now.
"Oh, I was waiting for that question," he said. "I was waiting for it later. That is not going to happen. It did not happen in the first year, it is not going to happen.
"Why should I? Because I lost two games? No way. It is definitely not going to happen."
khaleed505o
74
Yes why would u stop disappointing yourself guardiola... This is England not Spain and this is premier league not laliga that barca and Madrid keep on sharing together for ages
Rohcdiopsy
53
Liverpool have been sensational in EPL so far the two dents in UCL aside but like Tottenham when you feel they have turned a corner that's when they cave in. Liverpool have a wonderful lead to propel the team all the way to the end of the season if they put away their previous disastrous record of inconsistencies, when all the three forwards are available and in good shape goals flow. Immediately one gets injured the cohesion is fluffy and i can't imagine what can happen if their captain gets injured, that solid defence can be breached and start leaking again. For the moment it is unfair to take away the fans joy with negative ifs,they are entirely entitled to the joyful xmas gift from their team,the hard work is paying off!
SINGAM23
46
Liverpool's Fantastical Christmas & New Year wishes be like.... [Cheer]
Jimmym
32
city is the easiest club for Liverpool to beat