By Tom Sanders
Sergio Aguero has insisted that Manchester United will always be City's biggest rivals despite facing fierce competition for the title from Liverpool in recent years.
The reigning champions travel to Anfield on Sunday to face Liverpool in what is already being considered as a potentially title-deciding game, as City look to close the gap on the league leaders to three points.
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But although the competition between the two clubs has become fierce and increasingly bitter in recent years as the two teams jostle for Premier League supremacy, Aguero insists that Manchester United will always be City's main rival, regardless of what the league table says.
In a recent interview with France Football, (via SportWitness), the Argentinian International spoke about the difference between a TV rivalry and the real thing.
Aguero said: "Liverpool has always been a tough opponent. But when I arrived, the team we were fighting for the title was United.
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"[City v Liverpool] may be the clasico for television, but for us, the clasico, it's the match against United."
"Initially, it was something strange in the city that City competes against United. Then there was Chelsea.
"But these last four seasons, Liverpool have become a very strong team and are now fighting with us to win the Premier League. It's the only team in the league that can hurt us."
The prolific striker has scored nine goals so far this season and is fighting form, with his teammate and fellow striker Gabriel Jesus also ready and raring to go.
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But whoever ends up getting the nod on Sunday knows that they have a huge struggle ahead of them as City seek to close the gap on the Merseysiders to three points.
"Liverpool have been chasing a new league [title] for years." Aguero continued, "Last season, they didn't go all the way, so they are very motivated.
"This year, they are in front of us and will try to go to the end."
But when asked about City's famed 'Anfield curse', which has seen the Blues unable to notch up a victory at Liverpool's ground since 2003, Aguero was nonplussed.
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"We know that this is a ground where it's very difficult to win, but we'll try to do it because it has been a long time since the club last won there. This will be a key match for the title."
Although they overturned a larger points deficit to win the title last season, Guardiola's side head into Sunday's meeting knowing that defeat would put Liverpool firmly in the driving seat.
Topics: Liverpool, Sergio Aguero, Aguero, mcfc, city, MUFC, Man City, Man United