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And the City boss feels his side would have mounted a much better defence of their crown had they not had a litany of fitness issues throughout a difficult campaign at the Etihad.

Goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai were enough on Sunday as the leaders went 11 clear of Arsenal and a remarkable 20 ahead of the champions, who were without John Stones, Erling Haaland, Manuel Akanji, Oscar Bobb and current Ballon d'Or holder Rodri for the match.

The defeat was City's 14th in 41 games this term and while Guardiola was forced to concede Arne Slot's side are a "fantastic team", he also suggested the Reds have been able to avoid any lengthy setbacks for key players this term in his post-match assessment to BBC 5Live.



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"I don't know what would have happened if everyone was here," Guardiola said.

"I don't know if Liverpool would be able to win the Premier League.

I am really pleased with how we have behaved against Newcastle and today.

"I don't want to say if we had Erling Haaland we would have won because that is unfair on the players who played today and gave everything.

Of course, with Erling we are a better team.

With John Stones and Akanji we are a better team and for many reasons with other players we are a better team."

Guardiola added: "Always with me, the amount of times we arrived in the box the next moment we missed the next action.

I don't know if I defend better and sometimes it is not easy if it is a plan.
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