‘Worried’ - Richard Keys makes Liverpool claim about Pep Guardiola in Premier League title race

Pep Guardiola is running 'worried' about Liverpool's burgeoning form that has Manchester City look over their shoulder in the Premier League title race.

That's the verdict of former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys, who believes the Reds and Chelsea would have both 'swept' City aside in the Carabao Cup final.

Liverpool have closed the gap on Guardiola's men in the pursuit of the top-flight crown.

They're now six points behind but have a game in hand and still have to travel to the Etihad.

Jurgen Klopp's side claimed the first domestic trophy up for grabs this season by beating Chelsea on penalties at Wembley on Sunday.

City, meanwhile, were lucky to scrape a 1-0 win against Everton the previous evening.

The Toffees should have had a penalty when the ball struck Rodri’s flailing arm inside the box on 85 minutes - but VAR referee Chris Kavanagh did not award a spot-kick.

What’s been said

Writing on his personal blog, Keys said: “The game itself was a fantastic watch. That’s how I like to see my football played. Not once did I hear anything about possession or pass completion.

“It was blood and thunder from minute one. Brilliant. For me, it was a much better watch than had City been in the final.

“I know they play ‘beautiful’ football - and there are many that drool over it. I accept that - at its best - it can flawless - but I reckon either of Sunday’s finalists would’ve swept them away.

“I mentioned it last week. I believe Guardiola knows that and he’s worried.

“He’s six clear again after Everton were mugged off by the most inept decision I’ve seen all season - and that’s saying something.

“There are plenty of VAR candidates. What didn’t Chris Kavanagh see that the rest of the world did? It’s a scandal that VAR has the final call on these decisions. I’ve told you before - that’s how Mike Riley wants it. It’s wrong. It’s scandalously wrong.

“Mark Clattenburg in The Mail today: ‘For some strange reason Tierney wasn’t sent to his monitor (he knows the reason) to make up for missing this handball in real-time. Had he been given a second chance to look at it, he would’ve awarded the penalty to Everton. This was a shocker’.

“I couldn’t have put it better myself.”