MANCHESTER, England -- Pep Guardiola has said "nobody trusts" Manchester City following their downturn in form ahead of facing Liverpool.
Guardiola's men lost to Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Leicester in December to fall to third and defeat to Liverpool would put them 10 points behind the Premier League leaders.
And ahead of Thursday's encounter at the Etihad, Guardiola said: "I know today nobody trusts us but it is what it is.
"[Liverpool] are in the moment the best team in Europe, in the consistency, the way they control the details in their game. We are going to focus on what we have to do to win the game. Everyone is talking as if we lose, but we can win.
"The reality is clear so we have seven points down so it will be the second game of the second leg [of the season], so there a lot of points to play for. I have the feeling it is a big opportunity for us to reduce the gap. My focus is the same. Everybody is asking what will happen if we lose, but what will happen if we win? It is our chance to fight for the Premier League."
Guardiola again described Liverpool as "the best team in Europe" but says City have to beat them if they are to become one of the best in the world.
"We want to grow like a club so we have to play these kinds of games with the pressure it means," he said.
"I have a feeling everyone can beat us but also that we can beat everyone. Last year we beat them 5-0 here. It is Liverpool, the best team in all England in history. We can beat them."
The champions will be without left-backs Benjamin Mendy, who is injured, and Fabian Delph, who is banned. But they hope to have Kevin De Bruyne fit for the visit of Liverpool after he missed the 3-1 victory at Southampton on Sunday.
"He trained today," Guardiola added. "Tomorrow we need another check in the morning but he is much better."