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City fell 2-0 behind by halftime at the Etihad Stadium, facing
the prospect of suffering back-to-back league defeats for the
first time since 2018, but roared back in the second half with a
Riyad Mahrez double helping them earn victory.
Despite a much-needed win that moved City five points behind
leaders Arsenal in the Premier League standings, Guardiola was
not happy.
"Passion, fire and desire to want to win (was missing) from the
first minute," Guardiola said. "Our fans were silent for 45
minutes. We are far away from the team that we were. There are
many things that we are far away.
"It is not one single player, everyone is there. It is everyone,
as soon as we realise it, we will come back. Our fans must push
us, must demand more, have to shout. Today we were lucky but
nine times, 10 times you don't come back.
"I want a reaction for all the club, all the organisation, the
players, the staff. We are a happy flowers team. I don't want to
be a happy flowers, I want to beat Arsenal but if we play in
that way Arsenal will destroy, they will beat us."
Guardiola was not done there as he also took aim at critics who
say that his lack of a European trophy during his time at City
means his overall record in England, where he has won four
Premier League crowns, is not successful.
"We have had a lot of success," he added. "People say 'no, he is
not successful, as he has not won the Champions League'.
Bullshit.
"We won a lot. In this country, to win the league back-to-back
titles, twice, with the way we played, with consistency, against
this Liverpool side? What is success?
"I have won a lot. It means every day I see things that you
don't see because you are not there. I see it."
(Reporting by Peter Hall)
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