Pep Guardiola opens up on Man City sack pressure amid Arsenal and Chelsea title race

Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that his impressive track record has likely shielded him from being dismissed at Manchester City.

Despite the club's recent slump, including a surprise draw with Feyenoord after conceding three goals in the final 15 minutes, Guardiola is determined to stay and address the issues. Both Arsenal and Chelsea will end the weekend above City in the Premier League table if they win and the reigning champions lose at league leaders Liverpool on Sunday.

Ahead of this weekend's clash at Anfield, Guardiola understands the high expectations and pressure he faces.

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The decorated manager, who recently extended his contract for another two years and boasts 18 trophies during his tenure at the Etihad, expressed his thoughts: "At this football club you have to win and if you don’t win, you will be in trouble.

"I know the people say, ‘Why is Pep not in trouble, why is Pep not sacked? ’ What we have done the last eight years is why I have this margin.

"What’s for sure I want to stay, I want to do it. But the moment I feel I am not positive for the club another one will come. It has to be."

Injuries have plagued City's season, notably affecting key player Rodri, who is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season.

Guardiola stated: "We lost five games, drew the last one when we should have won, but it happens in football sometimes.

"A lot can happen and it’s happened. Don’t think much, go to the principles and when you live it, accept it – accept it and challenge it.

"No complaining, no blaming, no pointing – don’t run away from your responsibility. I have absolutely all on my shoulders. I have to and I want it.

"I want the opportunity to try. I don’t want to run. I want to be there and rebuild the team in many aspects from now on until the end of the season and next season. I want to continue up there."

Addressing the difficulties faced, he remarked, "It’s not nice to live, of course it’s not nice, but what do you expect? That everything is red carpet?

"It’s not an excuse that Rodri is not there. What are we going to do, cry all the time that Rodri is not there or that the four central defenders have not been there for a long time in the last month? I have to find a solution and the way to do it. I’m trying every day.

"It’s easy when you are 10, 12 games in a row, everyone is fit and everyone is in their prime and everyone is 26, 27, 28, everything is going well. That is easy. Now, not. I have to prove myself now.

"We will be back, I know that. I don’t know when. That is the truth."

Guardiola has downplayed City's title aspirations ahead of their crunch clash with Liverpool, where they haven't triumphed in the presence of fans since 2003. Guardiola remarked: "In the situation we have it’s not realistic to think about big targets. The situation is to think about one game and build the momentum to continue."