Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola warns players to improve or lose the title to Liverpool

City lost ground on leaders Liverpool by going down to a surprise 2-1 defeat at Newcastle

Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that their Premier League title defence will end in failure if they repeat their performance against Newcastle United.

City lost ground on leaders Liverpool by going down to a surprise 2-1 defeat at St James’ Park on Tuesday night.

Liverpool could only draw with Leicester City at Anfield the following evening, yet still extended their lead at the top of the table to five points.

Defending champions City face three testing fixtures over the next 10 days, starting with Arsenal’s visit to the Etihad on Sunday.

A trip to Goodison Park to play Everton follows on Wednesday night before a home encounter with Chelsea the following Sunday.

Guardiola was pleased to see Leicester take a point on Wednesday night but believes what Liverpool’s results will be irrelevant unless City improve.

When asked whether he was happy with the result at Anfield, he said: “It’s much better, but immediately I’d say how will be our level?

“If our level is [like] the last game, it doesn’t matter if [the gap is] five points, two points or one. We are not going to win.

“Nothing changed. What we learn or we have to learn from the previous game for the next game.

“You are satisfied for the [Liverpool] result and that’s all,” he said. “If we don’t see what we have to do, no, we will not be contenders until the end.”