Pep Guardiola is brutally told why Man City have struggled this season

Harry Redknapp believes some of Manchester City's big stars have done their best at the top level, which is why the Premier League champions are struggling so much.

City have now, incredibly, gone SIX games without a win ahead of Sunday's clash with red-hot leaders Liverpool. The wheels fell most spectacularly when they let a 3-0 lead slip in the final 15 minutes and ultimately drew only 3-3 against Feyenoord in Tuesday's Champions League match. They had lost their previous five games, including a 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham.

Exasperated ex-West Ham and Spurs boss Redknapp asked: 'What the hell is going on at Manchester City? No respect for Feyenoord, it's a big club.

“But City should never in a million years take a 3-0 lead to them on their own pitch. It just feels like maybe one year too many for some guys on this side.

“I sometimes thought they looked a world away from the young, dynamic Tottenham team last week. City's record at Anfield is abysmal even at their very highest level, so I can't possibly pick them at the moment. I'm going for 2-1 Liverpool.”

In an interview with BetVictor, Redknapp praised Liverpool, who are already eight points ahead of City in the title race. Arne Slot has seamlessly taken over from Jurgen Klopp and has taken The Reds to a new level. Wednesday's 2-0 win over Real Madrid also put them at the top of the Champions League table.

Ahead of the clash with City at Anfield, Redknapp said: “This is the big one. I can't wait for this! I just can't get over the start that Arne Slot has made. It was incredible.

“Liverpool were fantastic against Real Madrid last night. I know Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty but apart from that it was so comfortable. They will go into this game full of confidence and hope for a win.”

Meanwhile, Guardiola today talked about how getting the team out of its current rut is as big a challenge as winning 18 trophies for City. He said: “Of course it's not fun, but what do you expect? For everything to be red carpet? For everything to be nice and easy?”

'It's easy when you are [winning] 10, 12 games in a row, everyone is fit, everyone is at their best and everyone is 26, 27, 28. If everything goes well, it's easy. I have to prove myself now.”

And despite his remarkable record at the club and his status as one of the greatest managers of all time, the ex-Barcelona chief also raised the subject of what could happen if things don't improve during his press conference today become. ..

Guardiola said: “In long careers – nine, 10, 11 years – you live with all the situations. We lost five games, drew the last one when we should have won, but that happens sometimes in football.

“[I have to] accept it. No complaining, no blaming, no pointing. Don't run away from your responsibility. I have absolutely everything on my shoulders. I have it and I want it.

“At this football club you have to win. If you don't, you will get into trouble. I know people say: 'Why isn't Pep in trouble, why isn't Pep fired?' I have this margin because of what we have done over the past eight years. People trust me.

“What is certain is that I want to stay. But as soon as I feel that I am not positive for the club, there will be another one.”