Pep Guardiola wants to "reset and start from zero" after Manchester City suffered a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah got the goals for the Reds as they moved 11 points clear of City, who sit in fifth, and nine ahead of second-placed Arsenal at the top of the table.

The reigning champions suffered their fourth consecutive Premier League defeat, their longest such run since August 2008, while they are now winless in seven in all competitions.

In fact, it is the first time Guardiola has lost four league matches in a row during his managerial career.

City were outplayed on Sunday, not registering their first shot until the 39th minute, their longest wait in a Premier League match since April 2010 against Arsenal (58 minutes).

"The first 15-20 minutes they were unstoppable, they started so strong, we tried to play with a lot of control and passes, but it was difficult to take it," Guardiola told Sky Sports.

"They deserved the first goal, but we started the first half so well and played well in the second half without too much threat. I know how strong Liverpool are in both boxes.

"I congratulate them, and we'll reset and start from zero, and it is difficult to believe it. I rely a lot on these players. I know they are doing in this position. We'll see what happens by the end of the season.

"We can always do the short passes, and we can do it, but we don't have many alternatives. All I can say is thank you to them because I know the commitment that they showed with and without the ball. Maybe I had a feeling inside me that we will build from them. We will restart and try and make a good run.

"There is a moment where maybe it will click. I congratulate Liverpool, they deserve the victory, and we accept the situation right now, and we'll build from that."

Liverpool fans were heard chanting 'You're getting sacked in the morning' before the final whistle rang out at Anfield, with Guardiola holding up six fingers – one for each Premier League title he has won – as a reminder of City's recent dominance.

"All the stadiums want to sack me, it started at Brighton!" he said. "Maybe they are right with the results we've been having.

"I didn't expect that at Anfield. They didn't do it at 1-0, but at 2-0. Maybe they should have sung it in the past.

"I didn't expect it from the people from Liverpool, but it's fine, it's part of the game, and I understand completely. We've had incredible battles together. I have a respect for them."

City have won the Premier League in each of the last four seasons but have given themselves a mountain to climb if they want to repeat the feat for an unprecedented fifth year.

According to the Opta supercomputer, they now have just a 4.4% chance of clinching the title again, having had a 9.5% chance before the start of the weekend.

"I said before this game that we weren't in a position to think about targets, but the season is long," Guardiola added.

"We have to think about making results and then some players will come back, and then we'll be better, and we'll believe, maybe. There are many things to fight for and we're going to try."