Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points with a commanding 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Anfield, a match that highlighted the growing crisis at City. Arne Slot’s Liverpool capitalized on City’s defensive woes, securing crucial goals through Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, further cementing their dominance in the title race.
Gakpo and Salah Deliver for Liverpool
Cody Gakpo opened the scoring early, capitalizing on defensive confusion to slot in Salah’s curling shot, giving Liverpool a critical advantage just 12 minutes into the game. Mohamed Salah sealed the win in the 78th minute with a calmly taken penalty after City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega fouled Luis Diaz. Salah’s strike left City 11 points adrift in fifth place and in desperate need of answers.
City’s Historic Slump
Manchester City’s current form is unprecedented in the Pep Guardiola era. They have now lost four consecutive league games, a streak not seen since 2008. More alarmingly, City have gone seven games without a win in all competitions, marking Guardiola’s longest winless run as a manager. This slump has left them in a precarious position, trailing league leaders Liverpool by 11 points—a gap that only three teams have managed to overcome in Premier League history.
Despite previous comebacks under Guardiola, City has never recovered from such a significant deficit. This poor run also marks the first time a reigning champion has endured such a losing streak the season after winning the title.
Guardiola’s Defiance Amid Liverpool’s Taunts
Liverpool fans didn’t miss the opportunity to taunt Guardiola, chanting, “You’re getting sacked in the morning,” a dig at City’s current plight. In response, Guardiola held up six fingers, reminding fans of his six Premier League titles with the club. However, the frustration was evident as City’s title hopes took another hit.
Liverpool’s Resurgence Under Arne Slot
Since Arne Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool has been in scintillating form, winning 18 of their 20 matches in all competitions. Their Premier League record under Slot stands at 11 wins from 13 games, making them clear favorites to lift the title for the first time since their 2020 triumph.
Slot’s tactical acumen and ability to galvanize the squad have turned Liverpool into a formidable force, and they now have a nine-point cushion over second-placed Arsenal. Their consistency and ability to grind out results have set them apart in a fiercely competitive title race.
City’s Tactical Gamble Backfires
In a surprising move, Guardiola benched first-choice goalkeeper Ederson in favor of Stefan Ortega. However, the decision backfired as Ortega struggled to deal with Liverpool’s relentless attack. His foul on Diaz, which led to the penalty, was a pivotal moment that effectively ended City’s hopes of salvaging a point.
What’s Next for City and Liverpool?
With their title defense faltering, Manchester City faces an uphill battle to turn their season around. Guardiola will need to address both tactical and psychological issues within the squad to reignite their campaign. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s focus will be on maintaining their momentum and avoiding complacency as they march towards another Premier League crown.
The coming weeks will be crucial for both teams, but for now, Liverpool’s dominance and City’s struggles are the defining narratives of the season.
