The Title Race - 2024/25

[Scaring Europe to Death]

You can still win the Premier League despite appearing weaker than previous campaigns and that's precisely what's happened to City over the last few seasons
How else could you explain us completing the treble in Istanbul after signing Kalvin Phillips the previous summer?

Unfortunately that's not sustainable long-term and we're now experiencing the results of mediocre recruitment coinciding with a worse than expected run of injuries, and even with everyone fully fit, we'd still lack the same strength in depth.

Our subs bench at Brighton on the last day of 18/19 included Sane and Jesus plus a younger and fitter De Bruyne and John Stones.

Left Back was (and still is).our Achilles Heel, but even with Zinchenko wandering out of position it rarely mattered, because our possession stats were so high

Rodri arrived that summer and then Dias in 2020. However apart from Haaland plus Ake and Gvardiol (both of whom are also frequently exposed on the left when we lose the ball in daft positions) we're still nowhere near the energy of that peak Bernardo and peak Gundo, or the guile of David Silva.

Perhaps they don't exist but surely we can find a young right back or a box-to-box midfielder

 

[tunnel01]

I agree with every word of this.

Pep has a bad season 1/4 or 1/5. This is one of those seasons, and Arsenal are still a point behind us.

I don't think Pep or Klopp have to worry about their legacy one bit. Arteta has done fuck all and he's about to let his best chance go begging. No doubt in my mind (115 permitting) that Pep will be backed big time and will be back on it for the next two seasons.

I know Liverpool supporters aren’t looked upon too fondly around here however despite you guys going through something of a crisis by the standards you have set you will notice that there has been practically zero bantering or glee. How can you banter a team that have won 4 titles on the bounce?

Honestly it looks like you might be having a burn out season and if you do so be it and I hope we are the team who do take advantage. And let’s be honest if you had to choose between watching Arteta or Slot lifting that premier league trophy on the final day of the season and a cyanide capsule wasn’t an option the bald Dutchman is winning out amongst 99% of posters. Of course there may be a few loons like BlueMoonRising who disagree but i think most people would prefer humbleness over arrogance.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Has he fuck.

He's a fanny.

I think he's OK.

 

[Coatigan]

I think he's OK.

He's polite, and he knows how to sound balanced, and I actually often agree with some of the points he raises. And my second post had a good bit of tongue in cheek.

But his intentions are far from as pure as people have come to believe, he just knows how to disguise it better than most that have done the same over the years.

 

[tunnel01]

Klopp is the best manager Pep has ever faced. This isn't about likability but about managerial pedigree. To win 6 league titles out of 7 when Klopp was around speaks to just how good Pep has been. What's more, the games we played against them were honest. Both teams went hell for leather, and I reckon our 2-1 win in January 2019 is the best standard of football I've ever seen live. Contrast that with the disgraceful Arteta tactics on his last two visits to the Etihad. For me, Arteta has everything to prove. The other two definitely do not.

Klopps peak Liverpool against Peps peak City was the highest standard of football the premier league has ever seen. Two completely different styles but neither manager backing down from their philosophy and just going for it. The individual players might not have been of the standard of former years but the pace, tactical battle and fitness was on a whole different level.

Either one of those teams would have blown Arsenals Unbeatables off the park

 

[John Wayne]

Klopps peak Liverpool against Peps peak City was the highest standard of football the premier league has ever seen. Two completely different styles but neither manager backing down from their philosophy and just going for it. The individual players might not have been of the standard of former years but the pace, tactical battle and fitness was on a whole different level.

Either one of those teams would have blown Arsenals Unbeatables off the park

No doubt. Football is so much further on that it was in 2004. Wenger changed football in this country but it changed again and he was unable to keep up. The easiest way to dismantle the argument about the Arsenal Invincibles being the best ever really is so easy - they got 90 points. City in 2018 got 100 points. If both scenarios play out in the same season, who wins the league?

 

[bluemanchester]

Liverpool supporter here who is coming in peace. History shows the only way to beat prime Peps Manchester City to a title is to blow out to a huge lead and break their spirit in the first half of the season. If it comes down to the run in then forget about it.

It looks like Slot is trying to adopt that same approach that Klopps team did to win the title and if we do win at Anfield then I think even you guys would agree we will be well on our way.

Despite bridgeno1 constant ramblings I think Arsenal are pretenders. They don’t have the bravery in big matches to fire themselves to a league title.

City supporter coming in peace.
Does Slot have the same number of asthmatics in his squad as Klippity?

 

[feedmpenzaandhewillscore]

Klopps peak Liverpool against Peps peak City was the highest standard of football the premier league has ever seen. Two completely different styles but neither manager backing down from their philosophy and just going for it. The individual players might not have been of the standard of former years but the pace, tactical battle and fitness was on a whole different level.

Either one of those teams would have blown Arsenals Unbeatables off the park

The 2-1 game in early January 2019 at the Etihad was technically one of the best games of football I’ve ever seen. Two teams going at it and it could have gone either way such were the fine margins involved. The Real Madrid v Barcelona clashes used to get a lot of hype but what was served up that night was on another level.

 

[tunnel01]

The 2-1 game in early January 2019 at the Etihad was technically one of the best games of football I’ve ever seen. Two teams going at it and it could have gone either way such were the fine margins involved. The Real Madrid v Barcelona clashes used to get a lot of hype but what was served up that night was on another level.

Something I hope both managers agree to in a couple of years is maybe do one of those soccerbox watch alongs where they just sit down together and watch a few of the great past Liverpool-City matchups and just discuss everything that was going through their minds at the time.

Where they thought they could get at the opposition, opposing players they were extremely weary of, selection headaches leading up to the game, in game tactical changes. Would honestly be such a fascinating analysis to hear from them both.

 

[tunnel01]

No doubt. Football is so much further on that it was in 2004. Wenger changed football in this country but it changed again and he was unable to keep up. The easiest way to dismantle the argument about the Arsenal Invincibles being the best ever really is so easy - they got 90 points. City in 2018 got 100 points. If both scenarios play out in the same season, who wins the league?

Most overrated achievement of all time. You could potentially go undefeated and still get relegated with 38 draws.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Most overrated achievement of all time. You could potentially go undefeated and still get relegated with 38 draws.

I remember a team going undefeated in the Italian league and not winning it. It wasn't one of the big teams and they drew a lot of games

 

[Tolmie scores]

Anyone who hates Liverpool more than United is a weirdo, plain and simple.

Just thought I’d throw that in there.

Hates a strong word...only reserved for: .......... / ......

 

[Xhavenjoe]

I remember a team going undefeated in the Italian league and not winning it. It wasn't one of the big teams and they drew a lot of games

Perugia.

Benfica twice as a well

 

[tunnel01]

Perugia.

Benfica twice as a well

Wow that is incredible.

 

[John Wayne]

Perugia.

Benfica twice as a well

19 draws for Perugia.

What also gets lost is the fact that Arsenal won only one trophy that season. No doubles or trebles. They lost six games across all competitions.

 

[tunnel01]

19 draws for Perugia.

What also gets lost is the fact that Arsenal won only one trophy that season. No doubles or trebles. They lost six games across all competitions.

Similar to Arteta in his last two title challenges. Throws away every other competition he is in so full focus is on the premier league. The problem is that this isn’t how a big club should act.

You should take every competition seriously because a domestic cup can keep the moral and fire alive during an otherwise poor season where you might miss out on the major trophies.

 

[dronefromsector7G]

He's polite, and he knows how to sound balanced, and I actually often agree with some of the points he raises. And my second post had a good bit of tongue in cheek.

But his intentions are far from as pure as people have come to believe, he just knows how to disguise it better than most that have done the same over the years.

If Arsenal win the league (lol) let’s see how he is on here

 

[Blue_Rossy]

I have to agree with Kaz, if we hadn't of lost last few and you're top of league. No way you would be here!
It does feel like you're walking in here with a conor mcgregor style walk and smirk.

 

[thismeansfour]

Liverpool supporter here who is coming in peace. History shows the only way to beat prime Peps Manchester City to a title is to blow out to a huge lead and break their spirit in the first half of the season. If it comes down to the run in then forget about it.

It looks like Slot is trying to adopt that same approach that Klopps team did to win the title and if we do win at Anfield then I think even you guys would agree we will be well on our way.

Despite bridgeno1 constant ramblings I think Arsenal are pretenders. They don’t have the bravery in big matches to fire themselves to a league title.

You are saying that like is it your choice to run away with an early lead and that was the approach which you won it from previously? If that was the case then why didn't it happen any other season. What you have got and it is the same as the year when you won it, is a City side that has dominated for years and experiencing a difficult season. By all means Liverpool are taking advantage of that, without Liverpool we would be top, how crazy does that sound. Arsenal took 4 points off you last year and 4 off us. They can cut it in the big games, it is the lesser games which has hampered them.

If you think that on the very first day of December the title is won then more fool you, it more than likely is but don't count your chickens la

 

[tunnel01]

You are saying that like is it your choice to run away with an early lead and that was the approach which you won it from previously? If that was the case then why didn't it happen any other season. What you have got and it is the same as the year when you won it, is a City side that has dominated for years and experiencing a difficult season. By all means Liverpool are taking advantage of that, without Liverpool we would be top, how crazy does that sound. Arsenal took 4 points off you last year and 4 off us. They can cut it in the big games, it is the lesser games which has hampered them.

If you think that on the very first day of December the title is won then more fool you, it more than likely is but don't count your chickens la

I’m saying the only way that has been proven to beat prime Peps city to a title is to have an amazing start combined with City having a slow one.

If you are in with a shout during the final run then it’s basically over as has been proven in recent years. The only way to beat Peps City to a title is to build such an early lead that they turn their proper attention to other competitions.

This is what happened when Klopp won the title with Liverpool and Arne Slot will be hoping history repeats itself. I’m not saying it’s our choice but if the opportunity presents itself we have to take it