Manchester City travel to Anfield to face league leaders Liverpool on Sunday, with Pep Guardiola’s side eight points behind the Reds from 12 games.

Manchester City have lost their last three Premier League matches for the first time since March 2016, in what is now uncharted territory for Guardiola’s men.

The fragile state of the four-time Premier League champions is not only unfamiliar to the side themself, but to the footballing world who are well accustomed to seeing
Guardiola’s men romp sides, especially following defeat.

Meanwhile, Slot’s Liverpool have impressed audiences with their ability to consistently produce results despite a change of guard in the dugout. While fans predicted Liverpool would struggle to compete with the likes of Arsenal and City, the Dutchman has proved his side are here to win the title.

Woeful Manchester City in crisis

Five losses and a draw later across three different competitions for Manchester City, and a win still eludes the side.

Guardiola ensured that his team would “stick to the processes and fundamentals” after their thrashing 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. However perhaps this is in fact the problem his side faces: inexcusable defensive errors, a lack of urgency and injured absentees remain.

In addition, uncharacteristic performances from Kyle Walker and Josko Gvardiol, and an underwhelming season to date from current Premier League Player of the Season Phil
Foden point to a depleted side who are struggling to turn the tide.

It is expected that Guardiola’s men will have to do so against Liverpool if they wish to remain in the title race.

Feyenoord served City an important reminder ahead of the blockbuster fixture that they just cannot afford to take their eye off the ball at any time- both figuratively and literally.

Slot’s side flying high

City’s days are numbered until they must face Liverpool at Anfield, with Arne Slot’s well oiled and energised team arguably the antithesis of this City side.

The Reds have won their last five matches in all competitions, with the club’s last defeat coming on 14th September against Nottingham Forest at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah has been the star player for Slot’s side so far, with the forward racking up 10 goals and six assists in the Premier League.

Salah’s heroics snatched Liverpool the three points at St Mary’s Stadium last Sunday, with the Egyptian surely looking to weave his way through a struggling and disorganised City defence.

It wouldn’t be an unfamiliar occurrence, with Salah doing so in October 2021 when he danced past several City defenders and struck the ball past Ederson in stunning fashion.

The outcome at Anfield

If Salah and his teammates are to secure victory at Anfield on Sunday, it would take the Reds eleven points clear of Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League.

The win would not only gift Liverpool a greater level of confidence but would also allow the Reds a significant amount of room for error.

Meanwhile Manchester City would have to produce a picture-perfect remainder to their campaign, which even City fans would admit as an impossible prospect.

Although it would be wise to provide a reminder that sport is not played on paper, not least football, and so a win from Guardiola’s side at Anfield cannot be ruled out.

Manchester City may take solace in that Nottingham Forest have proved Anfield isn’t impenetrable. However with their own Etihad fortress being dismantled by a clinical Tottenham Hotspur side, Guardiola’s men know they need to produce a drastically improved performance on Sunday.

Slot will know that his side must produce one of their strongest performances this season despite City’s fragile form. If his players are to be wasteful in front of goal, then the game may well get away from the Reds.

If the match were to end level, a draw would not be favoured by either side. The gap between the two sides would remain at eight points, with the opportunity for Arsenal, Brighton and Chelsea to overtake Manchester City and close the gap to seven points on Liverpool.

By Annabel Bassett