Pep Guardiola has poured cold water on Manchester City’s restored status as title favourites.
City can leapfrog Liverpool and reclaim top spot in the Premier League if they beat Everton on Wednesday night.
The Reds have drawn their last two games against West Ham and Leicester, meaning the gap between the top two is now down to just three points.
With Liverpool faltering, the champions are once again considered the side most likely to win the Premier League by bookmakers.
But City boss Guardiola said: “Three or four days ago we were already done – the champions were Liverpool – and now we are favourites!
“Maybe in three days we will be leading – or we could be six points behind.
“We try to be calm in this situation. There will be a lot of surprises and it will be tough for teams to win games. All the teams have the abilities and skills to create problems.
“What I’m more concerned about is to never forget who we are as a team. When doing what we have to do we are a strong team.
“That’s what I want to watch every single day. After we will see about the results, how the table is.”
Guardiola acknowledges his side’s rearranged game against Everton – brought forward because of City’s involvement in the Carabao Cup final – presents a good opportunity.
Victory will see City go top on goal difference, having played a game more than Liverpool.
He said: “Goodison Park is always a tough game for us.
“But the approach is the same – going there to try to win the game and, of course, we have the chance, because Liverpool don’t play, to go top of the league.”
Everton boss Silva is under growing pressure after an indifferent run of form, although he retains the backing of majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.
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The Toffees were booed off after their 3-1 loss to Wolves on Saturday, their eighth defeat in 14 games in all competitions, and the Portuguese manager is facing mounting criticism.
Guardiola feels people have been too quick to get on Silva’s back in his first season at the club.
He said: “People don’t know how difficult it is to create teams. People believe by buying three or four players with a new manager and everything is perfect immediately. It takes time.
“My advice, if they believe in him they have to move forward with him. It’s difficult to create and build something.”