“The biggest rivals” – Pep Guardiola sends Liverpool warning to Manchester City squad ahead of FA Cup quarter-final | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned his players of the threat posed by Arne Slot’s Liverpool ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final tie.

The Blues are aiming to secure another Wembley date after recently tasting their first piece of silverware in two seasons, having beaten Premier League title rivals Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final last month to gain a huge psychological boost for the run-in.

Ruben Dias is a fitness concern for this weekend’s cup tie after missing the Carabao Cup final with a hamstring injury. John Stones is also a doubt after withdrawing from England duty in the recent international break with a calf injury.

City are chasing a domestic treble in the final months of the season and every game is a must-win for Guardiola and co, who face Chelsea and Arsenal in succession in the Premier League after Saturday’s visit from the reigning English top-flight champions.

Pep: We have to perform like we did vs Arsenal on Saturday

Speaking in a press conference on Friday afternoon, Guardiola extolled Liverpool‘s virtues and highlighted the threat posed by the Reds.

“They (have) been the biggest, biggest one (rival over the course of Guardiola’s time as Manchester City manager),” the Catalan said. “A top contender, top class players, all of them – and we have to perform in the level we did (against Arsenal) to reach the next step.”

Manchester City lost significant ground in the title race in March after back-to-back draws against Nottingham Forest and West Ham allowed Arsenal to race clear at the top of the table.

The Blues also went out of the UEFA Champions League at the Round of 16 courtesy of a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid, bowing out of Europe at the hands of Los Blancos for the third season running.

I’d love an even busier schedule, says Pep

On City’s schedule demands for the remainder of the campaign, Guardiola added: “I would love to have next week, in midweek, to be in the UEFA Champions League – and have a busy, busy schedule. Unfortunately we are out.”

City are at a nascent stage of their transition under director of football Hugo Viana, who has made nine new signings to bolster Guardiola’s ranks since replacing Txiki Begiristain last summer. They are set for another busy transfer window this summer as they look to shore up their midfield and allow several senior stars to leave.

However, the tide will have turned in the dressing room after the Carabao Cup final and gone some way to overturn the disappointment in the camp over four points City lost from leading positions against Forest and West Ham in the league.

Having done the Premier League double over Liverpool this term, Guardiola’s side will be confident of usurping the struggling Reds and entering the FA Cup semi-final for a record eighth consecutive year – a stat Guardiola was particularly proud to highlight in his pre-match press conference.