Pep Guardiola feared the Premier League title race was over after Manchester City lost to Newcastle United on Tuesday.
The Magpies stunned the champions to come back and win 2-1, giving Liverpool the chance to extend their advantage at the top to seven points.
However, with Liverpool being held by Leicester 24 hours later and City going on on to beat Arsenal 3-1 on Sunday afternoon, the race looks to be very much alive.
The gap between Jurge Klopp’s leaders and City is now just two points, with the Merseysiders playing at West Ham on Monday night, and Guardiola has called on his side to stay calm.
“So after the Newcastle game, we already lose the Premier League,” Guardiola told talkSPORT’s Dom McGuinness after the game.
“Everybody says seven points, but today we are at two – that’s why it was big.
“After the Newcastle game, everybody was convinced – myself too – that Liverpool were going to win against Leicester to move to seven points and it would be almost over.
“Now we are only two points so that’s why we have to be calm.
“We can’t look too much at the table or how the distance is. It’s what we have to do.
“What we have done in the Newcastle game or what we have done today. That is what we want to try to do every single game.
“So that is the target that, as a manager and as staff, we are going to convince our players.”
Liverpool can re-establish a five point lead at the top of the Premier League table by beating West Ham United on Monday night.
City will be back in action on Wednesday night at Everton, before facing Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.