Jamie Carragher has issued a bold warning for Manchester City ahead of their crucial clash with league leaders Liverpool.
The former Liverpool defender claims City’s Premier League title defense could be over if they lose this weekend.
City, currently second in the table, trail Liverpool by eight points. A defeat at Anfield would widen the gap to 11, a margin Carragher believes would be insurmountable given City’s current form.
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Can City bounce back under pressure?
City halted a five-game losing streak with a midweek draw against Feyenoord, but their struggles remain clear.
Pep Guardiola’s side has failed to win in their last six games, adding pressure as they face an in-form Liverpool under Arne Slot.
Carragher, writing in his Telegraph column, predicted that City’s title challenge might collapse if they lose on Sunday.
"An 11-point gap would be too much,” he wrote. He also suggested City’s inconsistency could lead to further losses in their remaining fixtures.
Carragher further added: "With some hesitation, I will make a prediction which – because of the Guardiola factor – may come back to haunt me. If City lose to Liverpool, their title defence is over before Christmas."
Despite their struggles, Guardiola recently signed a two-year contract extension, committing to City until 2027.
The Spaniard admitted he considered leaving at the end of the season but felt obligated to stay and lead the club through their current challenges.
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Guardiola’s vision for the future
Guardiola’s decision to extend his stay mirrors Jurgen Klopp’s approach during Liverpool’s rebuild last season.
Carragher noted that Guardiola now appears focused on leaving a lasting legacy at City, ensuring the team is ready for the next phase of success.
The Anfield clash could define the season for both sides. For City, it’s a must-win to keep their title hopes alive. For Liverpool, it’s a chance to widen the gap and assert their dominance at the top.
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There are instances of teams overcoming larger deficits than 11 points, which is what Liverpool will have over City if they beat them at Anfield this weekend.
In fact, two years ago Liverpool turned a 14-point trail of Pep Guardiola's side in mid-January into a three-point gap by the start of spring.
While City did ultimately win the league that year as part of their record four straight titles, it is a very recent and relevant example of 11 points disappearing, just like that.
However, Carragher has a point. This isn't the same sort of Man City/Liverpool that has reeled in rivals in the past.
The absence of Rodri is the biggest hurdle for the champions to overcome, and in the past, nobody has quite seen City this vulnerable. This could lead to teams coming at them with a confidence never before seen.
It would be naive to rule out a team like Guardiola's, even without Rodri. But if they lose to Liverpool and then somehow come back into it in 2025, it will be even more impressive than Manchester United reeling in Newcastle and Arsenal doing the same to United in the 1990s.
If Liverpool beat Man City and go 11 points clear...
- In the 32 Premier League seasons, only three times have teams come from 11 or more points behind at any point to win the title.
- City have never managed to win the title after being behind by more than 10 points.
- Only once has a team had an 11-point lead after 13 games - Manchester United in the 1993-94 season. They went on to win the title.
- City would become the first Premier League champions to lose four successive games the following season.
