City’s slip-up means Liverpool need to take advantage at Old Trafford
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When the dust settles next May, we may look back on yesterday as one of the most significant Sundays of the season.
The manner in which Leeds United took Chelsea apart will give hope to Tottenham and Arsenal that they can overtake them as the main rivals to the big two.
As for the big two, the stakes for Liverpool tonight at Old Trafford have been raised because of Manchester City’s slip-up at Newcastle.
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City slip up so rarely that it’s important to take advantage when they do.
United-Liverpool games always matter, but this is a huge one now.
Erik ten Hag has to get a tune out of his players — and he will demand one from them.
Jurgen Klopp can’t pick the starting XI he wants, and there are signs of mental weariness with his squad, as well as injuries.
But one win — especially against Man United — can give them a huge injection of self-belief.
City did show their character by coming from two goals down to get a point.
And we saw plenty of evidence to confirm the view that Erling Haaland is going to be a superb player for them.
He is so dangerous and is a real weapon for City up front.
But Newcastle showed flaws in the City machine.
Ederson is Pep Guardiola’s goalkeeper because of his ability with the ball at his feet.
But he makes too many mistakes in possession for my liking.
Sometimes, the Brazilian gets away with it but it could end up being a very costly flaw.
Newcastle troubled City in defence and they were able to get past their midfield far too easily too.
It has to be said that Eddie Howe has done a superb job since taking over at Newcastle.
His players have a great attitude, and they’re really well coached by Howe and his staff.
If other teams had the same attitude, life would be a lot trickier for City.
Newcastle went behind very early on but didn’t fold. Too many of City’s opponents do give up the ghost too easily.
Liverpool, in particular, will be hoping more of City’s opponents take a leaf out of the Newcastle playbook.
It’s only August 22 and Liverpool play their third Premier League game tonight, but already they’re under pressure.
How can that be? How does that make sense? It’s all because Manchester City have changed the game.
Since the first PL season, the eventual champions have averaged 87 points.
But, in three of their title-winning campaigns under Pep Guardiola, City have hit 93, 98 and, in 2017/18, a staggering 100 points.
Liverpool pushed them close in two of those seasons, but fell just short with 92 and 97 points.
When the Reds came out on top three years ago, their tally was 99.
Put that in context: during United’s remarkable run of success under Alex Ferguson, their highest points tally was 91 in a 38-game season.
With Erling Haaland on board, it’s likely City will be stronger than last season.
So you have to plan to hit the mid-90 point mark to have a chance of overhauling them.
That makes the margin for error ridiculously tight.
Already, Liverpool have dropped four points in their opening two games. They might drop just another 12 or so for the rest of the season and still be behind City.
There is no hope of a title race outside of Liverpool. Chelsea are out of sorts, something Leeds United made clear yesterday.
Antonio Conte will improve Tottenham, but not to City’s level. Arsenal are playing well in beating teams you expect them to beat — but you can never trust Arsenal.
So the only team that can stop the Premier League season becoming a procession for City are Liverpool.
And they need to win at Old Trafford to keep City honest.
Forget about the 4-0 and 5-0 wins from last season. Liverpool’s games with United are generally tight, and draws are common.
Another draw would really knock Liverpool back on their heels.
That’s because City are such a machine when it comes to hoovering points.
Go back to last season when they lost twice in their first 10 Premier League games. After that, they lost just once in 28 top flight matches, and there were just five draws.
Liverpool have a lot of injuries — and Darwin Nunez’s crazy act against Crystal Palace hasn’t helped them — but they still should edge it tonight against United.
But you would have to expect a reaction from United to all the flak they’ve taken.
They were humiliated by Liverpool twice last season, and their display last time out against Brentford was pathetic.
Surely they will show some pride in themselves and the jersey against one of their biggest rivals?
City have slipped, and they don’t slip very often.
Liverpool will be treating tonight’s game as a must-win one because of that. To start the season without a win in three games would be unthinkable.
What the Reds have to remember is City aren’t invincible. They do have flaws.
Indeed, they’ve been exposed regularly in the Champions League.
When you take them on with a definite plan and no fear, then you’re not without hope.
Newcastle are a decent outfit and they will likely push hard for a European place.
In Nick Pope, they have an outstanding goalkeeper, who should be England’s number one.
This is an era when international caps are thrown around like confetti so it’s remarkable that both Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin are uncapped.
There can’t be two better uncapped players anywhere. They caused City a lot of problems.
Over to Liverpool now. The stakes are massive.
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