After a near-six week break for the World Cup, City return to competitive action on Thursday night when Liverpool visit the Etihad Stadium for a fourth round Carabao Cup tie.
It marks the start of a gruelling second half of the season which sees Guardiola’s side competing for trophies on four fronts.
While we currently sit second in the Premier League and will be playing Jurgen Klopp’s side for safe passage to the quarter-finals of the League Cup, the Catalan was asked in his pre-match press conference about his determination to lift the UEFA Champions League.
Guardiola guided the Blues to the final in 2020/21 and a semi-final in 2021/22. However, it remains the only major honour outstanding during his six and a half seasons in Manchester.
“It’s not the only one but I admit it is the trophy that we want,” he said.
“It will not be complete my period here if we do not win it but it is not the only reason I extended my contract, absolutely not.
“I will do everything in this time we have together and I will try but I would say the same, we have tried before. It is the trophy that we don’t have and we will try to do it.”
The manager extended his City contract until 2025 during the World Cup, meaning he is in line to complete nine seasons in charge at the Club.
Already the most successful manager in our history, Guardiola has promised to continue to work hard every day in pursuit of more titles.
Asked about his relationship with the Club’s hierarchy and how that influenced his decision to stay, he said: “Thank you so much for the confidence they have in me.
“It is difficult for me to reject them because of the confidence they have in more and our staff and how they want us to do our best.
“I do not have enough words to express my gratitude to this club, to Khaldoon [Al Mubarak], to Ferran [Soriano] and everyone in the club to have me here.”
City v Liverpool
Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre at 18:00 (UK) with our Matchday Live show set to start just before 19:00 (UK).
The Matchday Live team will reconvene for a half-time debrief before a more in-depth post-match verdict after the full-time whistle.
The guests will also answer viewer questions throughout the broadcast, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live. To get in touch, send a WhatsApp to: +447537186538.
During the game you can listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann while our text commentary continues.
Highlights from the match can be found later in the evening, while a full-match replay will also be available to CITY+ subscribers from midnight following the game.
