I still believe in my players–Guardiola , Klopp sweats on Salah’s fitness

Manchester City will have to play the “perfect game” on Tuesday to overturn a 3-0 deficit in their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool, says manager Pep Guardiola.

City go into the second leg after back-to-back defeats by the Reds and derby rivals Manchester United in what Guardiola described as a “tough” week.

The Spaniard said he still has belief in his “extraordinary” side.

“The only way to play good football is to be positive,” he added.”To go through you have to make the perfect game, create chances and concede few chances. The chances we receive, we have to defend well.”We have 90 minutes and anything can happen. All we are going to do is try.

“We have 90 minutes plus extra time and what we have shown this year – even in the last game – is we can create a lot of chances in the last few minutes.”

Asked whether his side’s mental state had been impacted by two defeats in the past week, Guardiola said: “I don’t know.

“But, if we are not able to cope with that psychologically, it will be a good lesson for the future.”It is a test. Football, like life, is a challenge.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said City’s back-to-back defeats showed they are “human beings” but acknowledged his side will have to be “at our best again”.”We are not thinking about who is favourite,” he said.”It is better than I expected but you all know there is still a lot of work to do.”City thumped Liverpool 5-0 in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium on 9 September.

Asked about his fitness, Klopp said: “Not sure 100%. “It is rather yes than no but we have to see. We will make a decision.”