Pep Guardiola: Man City yet to become a “big club” like Liverpool or Utd

Manchester City will not become a “big club” like Manchester United or Liverpool unless they win more trophies to match their rivals’ illustrious history of silverware, Pep Guardiola has said.

Despite being clear frontrunners to clinch this season’s Premier League title and in good stead to challenge in the three other major cup competitions, Guardiola has told his players it will be a “big mistake” if they begin to talk about winning the quadruple prematurely.

While Manchester City are in the most successful period of the club’s history – having won the FA Cup as well as the League Cup and top flight twice in the last six years – they are still some way off their north-west counterparts in terms of trophy success.

United have won a record 20 top-flight titles, and Liverpool have five European Cups and 18 leagues triumphs – although none of those victories have come during the Premier League era.

But Guardiola has a good chance to expand City’s silverware haul and create more history with the club this term, as they beat Bristol City in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday and recorded a 4-1 victory against Burnley in the FA Cup to reach the fourth round.

The Spaniard warned that regardless of their impressive form, they are still playing catch-up with United and Liverpool in terms of history.

Guardiola is quoted by the Telegraph: “To become a big club like United or Liverpool with their history, you have to win.

"It is nice to have good performances but you have to lift titles. Nobody can take away what we’ve done so far. But we have to lift titles in the future – without them it’s not enough.

"In sport, the most important thing is what’s next. If you look far away, it’s a big mistake.”

United currently hold the record as the most successful British team, with 42 major honours, and completed the unique feat of winning the treble in 1999. However, no British team has yet won the quadruple, which is on for City this term.

City will look to maintain their unbeaten streak in the league as they head to Anfield on Sunday to face Liverpool.