Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has forwarded something of a lighthearted message to Southampton, ahead of the Saints’ upcoming meeting with Liverpool.
The latest chapter in the tense battle for the Premier League title is of course set to play out on Tuesday night.
Fresh off a penalty shootout downing of Chelsea to seal FA Cup glory on Saturday, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are set to make the trip to St. Mary’s, for a Premier League showdown with the aforementioned Southampton.
After Man City were held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham United earlier in the day, all associated with Liverpool will no doubt be fully aware that a victory of their own in 48 hours’ time would see the Reds close to within a point of the table-topping Citizens, with just a solitary round of fixtures to play.
In turn, it shouldn’t come as a massive surprise to hear of Pep Guardiola holding out hope of Ralph Hasenuttl’s Southampton doing his side a favour on Tuesday.
Speaking to the media on the back of the full-time whistle at the London Stadium this evening, City’s boss sent a tongue-in-cheek message to the Saints, in the form of a request to ‘beat Liverpool 4-0’.
Pep, asked if he has a message for @SouthamptonFC: “Beat Liverpool 4-0.”
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) May 15, 2022
Bowen’s brace not enough
Whilst Man City’s solitary point secured against West Ham, on the face of it, may look like a disappointing takeaway from the clash, in truth, many of a Sky Blues persuasion will actually likely be satisfied with their side simply avoiding defeat.
This comes after Guardiola and co. fell into a shock two-goal hole inside the opening 45 minutes in London, owing to a Jarrod Bowen brace:
BOWEN HAS BAGGED A BRACE!!! 😮
This title race just keeps on giving! 🤩#WHUMCI pic.twitter.com/85RXBwqjFh
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 15, 2022
Jack Grealish’s finish early in the 2nd-half being followed 20 minutes from time by a Vladimir Coufal own goal, though, mean that it is City who remain in control of the title race, albeit only just ahead of the final week of the campaign.
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