Manchester City is facing a season in crisis, with their recent form extending their winless streak to six matches across all competitions. The latest setback came in a dramatic 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola's side appeared to be in complete control, leading 3-0 with just 15 minutes left. However, a stunning collapse saw them concede three goals in the final stages, marking the first time in Champions League history that a team leading by three goals as late as the 75th minute failed to secure the win.
This result only added to City’s woes, as they have now lost three consecutive Premier League matches. To put this into perspective, these three defeats equal the total number of league losses City suffered in their previous 47 games. The last time City lost four consecutive Premier League matches was back in 2008, and Guardiola's squad is now under intense pressure to turn things around. According to Opta’s supercomputer, their chances of retaining the Premier League title have fallen to just 12.6%, a sharp decline from their previous dominance.
City’s slump has come at an inconvenient time, as they face a tough test against Liverpool at Anfield, a venue where they have struggled in recent seasons. Liverpool, under Jurgen Klopp, are in excellent form this season, with their performances reminiscent of their title-winning campaign in 2019-20. A victory for Liverpool in this encounter could see them extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points, a gap that would be difficult for any team to overcome.
Historically, only three teams have managed to overturn such a deficit to win the Premier League title: Manchester United in 1992-93 and 1995-96, and Arsenal in 1997-98. With Liverpool currently holding a 74.8% chance of winning the title, according to Opta’s simulations, City’s chances of reclaiming the crown are becoming slimmer with each passing week.
Looking ahead to their clash with Liverpool, Manchester City has a lot of work to do. The odds are stacked against them, with Opta’s supercomputer giving them just a 29.9% chance of victory in the upcoming match. This highlights the uphill battle Guardiola’s side faces, especially considering they have won only one of their last 21 Premier League away games against Liverpool.
For City, the pressure is mounting to break their poor run of form and find a way to compete with the relentless pace set by Liverpool. However, with the Anfield crowd in full voice and Liverpool in such formidable shape, it’s hard to see how Guardiola’s team will overcome this latest challenge. If they fail to secure a win, City’s title aspirations could be all but extinguished, and they would have to rely on a dramatic turnaround to remain in the race.
