Jamie Carragher said Manchester City are facing a battle to finish in the top four after their 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday left them 11 points behind the Premier League leaders in fifth. Citys fourth consecutive Premier League defeat stretched their winless run to seven games in all competitions as a first-half goal from Cody Gakpo and a second-half penalty from Mohamed Salah secured a dominant victory for Arne Slots side.
Pep Guardiola held up six fingers to the home fans, in reference to his Premier League title wins, as they taunted him with chants of, Youre getting sacked in the morning, but Carragher feels City are now out of the race this term and warned they should start looking over their shoulders.
I dont see theres any way back for Manchester City now, Carragher said on Sky Sports. Can Liverpool be caught? Neville assesses Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City hopesLiverpool 2-0 Man City – Match report and highlightsAs it happened | Teams | Match statsLive Premier League table | Watch free PL highlightsGet Sky Sports or stream with NOW Sometimes you need to lose so people realise what youve done so you dont take it for granted.
And maybe hes sending a message to the hierarchy, the people above him and the fans. But this season Manchester City will not win the Premier League. Carragher highlighted their issues in midfield, where Rodri is sidelined for the season with a knee injury, and likened their plight to Liverpools during Jurgen Klopps latter years in charge.
He added: Its a mini-crisis for Manchester City. I think its reminiscent of Liverpool two years ago. I actually think they might have a fight on their hands for the top four. I look at Arsenal, Chelsea and the way they are looking right now and I think it will be difficult for Man City to finish above them if they dont go into the market in January.
I go back a couple of years to the season Man City won the treble. Liverpool went to the Etihad in April and got beat 4-1. It could have been six or seven. They got absolutely battered and you felt like it was the end of that Jurgen Klopp team.
But what it was was the end of that midfield, of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. No matter how good a manager you are, you cant fix that. I dont think Pep can fix Citys midfield now. He needs to buy players there.
If he can do it in January, who knows, but he may need to wait to the end of the season. Right now, I can see Man City losing another four or five games between now and the end of the season. I look at the energy of Chelsea and Arsenal and I think it will be difficult for City to finish above them.
The defeat, during which City were overrun in the centre of the pitch, sees them drop below Arsenal and Chelsea, who beat West Ham and Aston Villa respectively this weekend, and also fourth-placed Brighton.
Man City at one stage in the second half had Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva in central midfield, continued Carragher. I love Bernardo Silva. What a player. But hes not a central midfielder. Rico Lewis is a decent player but its nowhere near enough.
Look at what Arsenal and Chelsea have got in central midfield, the energy, the power. They cant compete with that at the moment, Man City. Keane: Never felt like Liverpool would loseRoy Keane praised Liverpools display and highlighted the importance of their winning mentality under Slot.
The win means they are nine points clear of second-placed Arsenal. We have to praise the manager Arne Slot as hes doing a magnificent job but the squad he took over were a decent group, said Keane. Hes added his personality to it.
If youd have been told that Liverpool would be in the position they are now, you wouldnt believe them. Their performances, their defence, their big players are turning up for the big occasion. They were awful against Southampton but still scored three goals and won the game.
It never felt like Liverpool were losing today. Its a combination of decision-making and quality. Man City didnt show that intensity. Walker switches off for the first goal. At the moment all their players are just off it and so its like the perfect storm for their opposition.
Carragher felt Walkers role in Gakpos opener was reflective of his decline into a liability for the champions. He can switch off and thats always been the negative about him, he said. He doesnt look again and switches off.
That has been a problem throughout his career. That is nothing to do with his age. He has become a little bit of a liability for Man City.
