Pep Guardiola says Manchester City will rely on the energy of their supporters as the campaign moves into its most demanding phase, describing the backing from the stands as essential for a team still finding its identity.
City’s dramatic victory at Anfield last weekend revived belief around the club, yet the manager insists the performance also showed how much his developing side must continue to grow.
With several new faces adapting to Guardiola’s methods, he feels encouragement from the terraces could be the difference between progress and frustration.
The City manager has rarely hidden his appreciation for the club’s following, but his latest comments underlined just how important he believes that relationship has become.
The season is entering the period where matches arrive quickly and pressure increases, and Guardiola knows his relatively inexperienced group will face uncomfortable moments.
“Of course I’m happy [we beat Liverpool] because we are closer, but we need our fans and I think our players deserve the away support [we have] and also at Etihad – but we need our fans and we need them desperately – because [we have] an incredible group of players and most of them are new,” said Pep according to City official website
City have refreshed their squad significantly over the past year, bringing in younger talent to replace long-serving figures.
While the potential is obvious, Guardiola accepts that understanding between players cannot be manufactured overnight.
The manager pointed out that many of his recruits are experiencing the intensity of English football for the first time. Learning tactical demands, coping with expectation and building chemistry are processes that usually require patience.
Yet at a club accustomed to fighting for trophies on every front, time is a luxury rarely granted.
Supporters, Guardiola believes, can help bridge that gap. Noise from the stands can settle nerves, especially when matches become tense or opponents dominate possession.
He has often spoken about the unique atmosphere at the Etihad when fans feel connected to the team’s effort.
Guardiola’s standards remain uncompromising, and he admitted he would rather see matches controlled long before the final minutes.
“I know to win or arrive at the end that there are margins to be better otherwise it won’t be enough, or otherwise it will be so boring,” he said.
His analysis was typically honest. While the result strengthened City’s position in the table, he does not want the drama of Anfield to disguise areas that require attention.
Defensive concentration, decision-making in midfield and efficiency in front of goal are all subjects he continues to address on the training ground.
“I could sit here saying ‘how good was everything at Anfield ?’ But I would be wrong. I hope I am wrong,” he added, making clear that satisfaction should not replace self-criticism.
- Guardiola reveals Man City star has been ‘suffering’ in recent weeks
- Man City vs Fulham: Guardiola confirms injury update, predicted XI and team news
Guardiola explained that the biggest challenge is helping newcomers understand what it means to compete for major honours.
Several members of the squad have arrived from leagues where the tempo and scrutiny are very different. Now they must adapt while trying to keep City among the Premier League’s leading contenders.
“Most of [my players] are new and this is the first time they absorb many messages and experiences and the pressure to be contenders for the titles.
“That takes time, but we don’t have it. They are still in the process of knowing each other. That is the situation.”
The coming weeks will test that bond. City are preparing for a sequence of fixtures across domestic and European competitions, each carrying significant weight.
Rotation will be necessary, meaning even more reliance on squad depth and unity.
