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Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FCNov 25, 2023, 11:30 AM ET
MANCHESTER — So, who is eager to clinch the Premier League title this term? Alternatively, who feels they have the potential to triumph? Despite a Saturday’s 1-1 standoff against Liverpool, Manchester City may still be the frontrunners to claim victory again, yet their challengers are starting to collaborate to challenge Pep Guardiola’s squad.
City is no stranger to lifting this title; they strive to become the inaugural English team to do so in four consecutive seasons. However, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur are not far behind the leading position, and the chance to conclude the season as victors is gradually becoming apparent for each challenger.
It has become routine to see City cruise to the Premier League title. With five titles in the preceding six terms, only Liverpool interrupted their streak by securing it in 2020. However, the current season is shaping up to be an intensely contested battle for the English crown in many years.
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After this encounter at the Etihad Stadium, there was a mere four-point separation between the Premier League’s first five clubs. Comparatively, this margin was 10 points in both Spain and France, while standing at 11 in both Italy and Germany. City has typically pulled well ahead as campaigns advanced, but indications suggest a potential shift this time around.
Throughout this season, Arsenal has toppled City, Chelsea forced them to an astonishing 4-4 deadlock just two weeks prior, and now Liverpool has managed to withstand Guardiola’s forces unbeaten. With Tottenham awaiting at the Etihad on Dec. 3, another setback in overcoming a major rival will increase their belief that City is likely to concede enough points to allow a new champion to ascend.
We’re all anticipating the emergence of that team — the standout runner-up, or the squad daring enough in January to execute a signing that could shift them from contenders to titleholders.
Liverpool appears to be the squad with the best probability of overthrowing City from the championship throne, having achieved the nearly impossible by obtaining a draw at the Etihad. City would have matched Sunderland’s 1894 record of 24 successive home triumphs across all competitions had they maintained their lead for a win.
Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s equalizer in the 80th minute garnered Liverpool a merited point following Erling Haaland‘s early goal, which made him the most rapid player to reach 50 Premier League goals in just his 48th game. Haaland surpassed Andy Cole’s previous record of 65 matches (Newcastle 1993-94). Although neither side could claim superiority, both found the equal result meaningful; City for not securing the win and Liverpool for regaining control after Haaland’s score.
If City continues their trend of inability to overpower close adversaries, it will permit the pursuing group to stay within reach. Tottenham and Aston Villa, City’s impending league rivals, both have the capability to further complicate Guardiola’s vexations by achieving positive outcomes. Conversely, Liverpool’s interruption of City’s home winning succession will inject optimism at Anfield that Klopp and his squad can replicate their 2019-20 championship triumph this year. Nonetheless, despite departing with a point, Klopp suggested his team could have surpassed their performance and secured a victory.
“Had we executed brilliantly today, we could have conquered, but our play was simply passable. We also troubled them, yet the instances of our strength did not gratify us much,” Klopp reflected.
“We stretched ourselves once more after the recess, but I shared with the boys at intermission, just imagine the scenario if we were excelling.”
“Arriving here is arduous, and their extensive home winning streak isn’t fortuitous. They are an exceptional squad,” he added.
Despite the tie, with his club gripping the league’s forefront — Arsenal could overtake City with a victory at Brentford in Saturday’s subsequent match — Guardiola uncovered bright spots in his team’s showing and the event’s conclusion.
“Our display was splendid,” he acclaimed. “Following eight years, my pride swells in witnessing our consistent approach. We showcased top-level skill in every component, which was imperative against such an extraordinary adversary.”
“Perhaps we could have been sharper on the final pass, but they mounted a strong defense. Conceding a mere two shots on target to Liverpool warrants accolades for our collective effort,” he continued.
Guardiola did not disclose any alarm over his team’s championship aspirations, yet for the initial time this term, City tangibly felt the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, sidelined by a hamstring concern since the season’s outset in August. Missing De Bruyne’s dynamic box-to-box breaks and extensive passes left City’s central play lacking thrust and vigor. This Belgium international’s absence is projected to persist into the New Year, possibly impairing them in the forthcoming matches. Liverpool’s midfield, thus far exceptional this season, failed to illustrate the determination or desire to leverage City’s shortcomings, culminating in a conclusion where both teams were satisfied with a draw and relieved not to face defeat.
The stalemate was advantageous for Liverpool, yet even more auspicious for the title competition, as if one of the aspirants can muster championship-worthy form, City’s deficiencies against top-tier opposition might just set the stage for a different set of colors to decorate the Premier League trophy come next May.
