Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 7y

Pep Guardiola: Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus have 'top' relationship

MANCHESTER -- Any suggestions of a rift between Manchester City strikers Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus were dispelled by their performances in Saturday's 5-0 victory over Liverpool, manager Pep Guardiola has said.

Aguero and Gabriel have been seen as rivals for a place in the City lineup, but Guardiola has started with them both in three of City's four Premier League games this season.

He stressed that there were no problems between the two, saying City's third goal, for which Aguero unselfishly teed up Gabriel, demonstrated that.

Aguero was clean through with just Simon Mignolet to beat but rolled the ball to his colleague, and Guardiola told a news conference: "That means a lot for me, what Sergio did -- a lot.

"They are both good guys and exceptional players, and their relationship is top.

"You have all known Sergio for a long time -- of course, they both want to score goals and we need that.

"Strikers are always: 'I want to score more than my teammate,' but it is still important to have the ability to choose the right decision, as Sergio did.

"When it happens the next time, Gabriel is going to do that for Sergio."

Guardiola said the moment also showed a growing team spirit.

"I do not say to my strikers: 'Pass the ball' -- I tell them: 'Score a goal, please,'" he said.

"But what I saw was good. We want to create something special in the locker room, so that was important for us."

Guardiola said City also wanted goals from other areas of the pitch and was delighted that substitute Leroy Sane added two more.

"With the strikers we have, there is no doubt we will score goals," he said. "Those players live to score goals.

"But we also need our wingers, like Raheem [Sterling], like Leroy, to get in the centre in those positions. That is so important now.

"We can't just rely on two players -- it is not possible."

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