Guardiola shrugs off ‘style over trophies’ debate ahead of Anfield clash

• Pep Guardiola says winning trophies matters more than entertaining football.
• The City manager was responding to comments credited to Liverpool coach Arne Slot.
• Manchester City face Liverpool on Sunday as they chase Arsenal at the top.

Pep Guardiola has dismissed suggestions that playing attractive football should take priority over winning silverware, insisting that success is ultimately the benchmark for any manager, even when style matters.

Manchester City head to Anfield this weekend with little room for error in the Premier League title race, sitting behind leaders Arsenal and needing consistency after a mixed run of results in recent weeks.

Guardiola’s comments followed remarks attributed to Liverpool head coach Arne Slot earlier in the week, where the Dutchman reportedly said he would rather see his team play good football than collect more trophies.

Winning, style, and the reality of management

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said managers rarely get the luxury of choosing between style and results, arguing that the two are often connected. He explained that when teams win, they are usually playing well, and that the challenge lies in finding the best way to succeed with the players available while staying true to one’s footballing philosophy.

The City boss added that while he believes in proactive football, he also recognises that not every game allows for beautiful performances, especially during intense stretches of the season when results become critical.

City chasing consistency in tight title race

City’s title chances have taken a hit in recent weeks, with the champions winning just once in six league matches in 2026, drawing four and losing one. Still, Guardiola insisted the campaign remains wide open, noting that there are 14 games left and that momentum can shift quickly.

Read also: Guardiola Accuses Man City Of ‘Playing Safe’ In Leverkusen Defeat

He pointed to last season, when City recovered from a similar position behind Liverpool, as evidence that the title race is far from settled.

With Arsenal currently six points clear at the top, Sunday’s trip to Anfield offers City a chance to test their progress and close the gap, even as Liverpool sit outside the top four after an inconsistent campaign.

Beyond the points, the match carries symbolic weight, with Guardiola’s City facing one of their fiercest rivals at a stadium that has often shaped title races in recent years.

As City look to steady their form and revive their title push, Guardiola’s message remains clear: style matters, but trophies are what ultimately define a manager’s legacy.