Guardiola ´the best manager in the world´ despite struggles, says Slot

Arne Slot believes Pep Guardiola is still “the best manager in the world” despite Manchester City’s recent struggles ahead of their blockbuster clash at Anfield on Sunday.

City are without a win in their last six games in all competitions, the latest of which saw them squander a three-goal lead to draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League.

For the first time in what was the 942nd game of his managerial career, Guardiola watched his side fail to win a match after leading by three goals.

And up next for the Citizens is Slot’s Liverpool, who dispatched Real Madrid 2-0 on Wednesday to become the first team to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.

Though City have lost their last three Premier League games, as many as they had in their previous 47 combined (W35 D9), Slot was confident Guardiola could turn things around.

“Everybody is looking at their results but if you face them, you analyse it. They were 1-0 up against Brighton and could have scored one or two more,” Slot said.

“They could have been two or three goals up against Tottenham and against Feyenoord – that has not happened many times.

“They are still a very, very good team and one of the reasons why I think Pep Guardiola is one of the best managers in the world – I think he is the best – he always comes up with solutions for his problems.

“We all know he will come up with a solution, but hopefully after Sunday.”

1 – For the first time in what was the 942nd game of his managerial career, Pep Guardiola has seen his side fail to win a match after leading by three goals. Remarkable. pic.twitter.com/1Ehm11ax8D

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 26, 2024

Slot was also able to provide an update on defensive duo Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate, who looked to have picked up injuries in the win over Madrid.

No player made more tackles (four), won more duels (eight), won more fouls (three) or provided more assists (one) than Bradley against Los Blancos.

Konate also impressed on Wednesday, making more interceptions (two) than any of his Liverpool team-mates, with Slot saying the pair were still being assessed ahead of City’s visit to Anfield on Sunday.

“They are still being assessed so it is difficult to know where they are,” Slot said.

“Let’s wait and see but it’s never a good sign if players – Conor I had to take him off and Ibou didn’t walk off the pitch as he should after such a fantastic game.

“He should have made a round and clapped to the fans but unfortunately he couldn’t so that’s not a good sign.”

There was, however, good news on the fitness of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who returned to the bench for the Reds on Wednesday but was an unused substitute.

The England international has missed the last three games for club and country with a hamstring injury.

Only Mohamed Salah (22) has created more chances than Alexander-Arnold in the Premier League for Liverpool this season, with Slot confirming he would be fit to start against City.

“Like I’ve just said, they are still being assessed. We have to wait and see where they are this weekend and after that. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] will be fit to start,” Slot added.