City are nine points ahead of Liverpool, but the champions have played a game more and with the two sides meeting at the Etihad in April, Pep says it is crucial his team wins as many games as possible in order to fend off the Merseysiders’ challenge – which he expects to go to the wire.
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“One game at a time. Like right now, one at a time. We don’t speak about points we are ahead or behind,” said the City boss.
“Last season we won the Premier League and were in one period in November when we were seven or eighth in the table and ten off the leaders.
“At that moment, we think we’re out and just have to try to win the next game. It’s the same now, given the schedules,
“So it’s just about tomorrow and Norwich. That’s all, the rest is not important.
“We can lose the Premier League by losing to Brentford or Norwich.
“We can also win the Premier League if we win against Norwich, the same as Liverpool or Chelsea or Tottenham - it’s the same amount of points.
“We have 14 games left, many points to play for and we have to win a lot of points if we want to be there to win the title.
“The first title we won, we had 100 points. The margin (over Liverpool) was bigger.
“If it was 14, I’d say closer, but nine and potentially six points if they beat Leeds - it’s not easy because when they have good rhythm it’s difficult - but it’s nothing. Anything can happen.
“Both teams have shown they can make incredible runs. If one team is able to do it, they can again.
“Both have the same managers and squads and philosophies. Both made 18 wins in a row, now we are unbeaten in 12, they can do it - and we can do it too.
“Always I expect what you have to do tomorrow. They think we can do it too, but when we did this amount we know it and we have to win the next game and after that the next.
“Knowing it’s before Champions League or the FA Cup, that’s why the Premier League is so fascinating and the nicest title because you have to fight all the clubs with problems.
“Injuries, bad runs, good runs, that’s why it’s more consistent and these two teams were incredible last season.
“When the teams make these runs of points and still we have just potentially six ahead after that unbeaten period, it’s because the opponent is so good, too.
“Normally we’d be 10 or 12 ahead after that, but that’s why Norwich is next, then afterwards the Champions League, then Spurs then Everton and so on.
“We will see game by game what our level is.”
