Guardiola bans Man City staff from checking up on title rivals Liverpool on final day

PEP GUARDIOLA has banned his Manchester City staff from checking up on title rivals Liverpool this afternoon.

If City beat Brighton they will retain their crown, no matter what the Kop side do against Wolves at Anfield.

City go into their clash at the Amex a point clear of Jurgen Klopp’s troops  in one of the greatest title battles for years.

And a source told The Sun on Sunday: “Pep has been very clear. He doesn’t want to know how Liverpool are doing.

“He just wants everyone to concentrate on their own performance and win the game in front of them. He has been very strict and said, ‘We will not speak of them’.

“He respects Liverpool an awful lot but the title is in City’s hands.

“If everyone does their job, then the Liverpool result is immaterial. He’s very focused and expects the same from all of his players and staff.

“There will be no checking of mobile phones to find out the score.”

The title would be the second leg of an historic domestic treble for City.

They have already won the Carabao Cup and face Watford in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Guardiola knows a single goal could be enough to propel City to victory today thanks to the skill of City No 1 Ederson.

The stopper is fighting Liverpool keeper Alisson for a place in the Brazil national team.

And the rivals are also battling for the Premier League Golden Glove — with both men having kept 20 clean sheets.

The source added: “In Pep’s eyes, Ederson is a remarkable player. It caused a lot of upset when he got rid of Joe Hart, but Pep has been proved right.

“He’s confident one goal could be enough because he thinks Ederson’s the best goalkeeper he has ever worked with.

“He keeps reminding the squad they’re so close to making history again and wants them to believe in themselves.”