Manchester City, despite enduring an unusual four-game losing streak, remains widely regarded as having a stronger squad than their Premier League rivals Liverpool, according to former footballer Danny Mills. The reigning champions, who have been plagued by injuries to key players like Rodri, Ruben Dias, and Phil Foden, are currently trailing Liverpool by five points in the league. However, Mills remains confident that City’s squad depth and overall quality still place them ahead of their competitors, even with the challenges they are facing.
City’s injury problems have been a notable concern, with several high-profile players sidelined for varying lengths of time. Despite this, Mills believes the club’s squad remains the strongest in the Premier League and possibly in the world, especially with a depth of talent that most other teams cannot rival. "I think you can look at the injuries and say City still have the strongest squad in the world, without a shadow of a doubt," Mills said in a recent interview with Stats Perform. However, he also pointed out that the frequency of injuries could be a cause for concern, suggesting that factors such as training routines and player rotation may need to be examined to avoid further setbacks.
Manchester City has faced significant challenges this season, especially with the absence of Rodri, whose influence on the team is undeniable. The club’s win percentage has dropped significantly when he’s been unavailable, with City winning just five of 13 matches without him, compared to 28 out of 36 matches with him in the team. The drop in win percentage from 77.8% to 53.8% without Rodri highlights his crucial role in the midfield. Although the team has managed to adapt without other key players like Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne in the past, it has been harder to cope with Rodri’s absence.
Despite these struggles, Mills is optimistic that City can overcome their challenges, as they have done in the past. “Every team has injuries,” he stated, referring to how City has previously won titles even when key players such as Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany were sidelined for extended periods. This mentality and history of resilience give Mills confidence that City can recover from their current slump and get back on track.
The current four-game losing streak is particularly surprising for Manchester City, given their usual dominance in the league. The last time City endured such a losing run was back in August 2006, under former manager Stuart Pearce. Their most recent defeat was a 2-1 loss to Brighton, a game they led at halftime, marking a first since May 2021 against the same opponent.
On the other hand, Liverpool has taken full advantage of City’s struggles, collecting 28 points from their first 33 available. This is only bettered by their 2019-2020 start, where they amassed 31 points from their first 33 games. However, Mills believes City will be able to close the gap, particularly as they prepare for a crucial encounter with Liverpool at Anfield on December 1st. With both teams in the thick of the title race, this match could prove pivotal in deciding the momentum for the remainder of the season.
Overall, while Manchester City’s current form may raise concerns, Danny Mills remains firm in his belief that the squad’s overall strength, history of resilience, and depth will allow them to recover from their setbacks and challenge for the Premier League title.
