Guardiola’s largesse got to Liverpool as Slot stays lonely at the top

For the first time under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City played against Liverpool without any potency. They looked subdued, powerless, and clueless throughout the game. 20 minutes into the game, City had yet to register a touch in Liverpool’s box, something very unusual and surprising. City went on to have just one big chance a few minutes before stoppage time from Kevin de Bruyne’s hijack of Vjik Van Djik, but the Belgian’s shot was very weak to sweep Caoimhin Kelleher off his feet. 

Guardiola’s six fingers mean six titles and defeats

Before Mohammed Salah slotted the penalty past Stefan Ortega, Guardiola had lifted his finger to signify six, which could mean winless in six consecutive matches. 

But it could also mean six titles won in eight completed seasons, which was more of a perfect response to the Liverpool fans who believed they had a piece of the “Largesse” the Citizens had been sharing for a while. Liverpool’s 2-0 win made them lonely at the top, with nine points above Arsenal, who placed in second place, and 12 points ahead of fifth-placed defending champions Manchester City. 

Erling Haaland couldn’t make any impact, registering just one shot on target on Sunday night at the Anfield Stadium. 

This is Pep Guardiola’s worst moment since City became a big force in the EPL; they have never been humiliated consistently as they are currently facing. 

With six winless games under their belts, Manchester City has dropped below the Champions League ranks for the first time. This must be a big enchantment for the EPL defending champions. 

As it stands, the problem facing Manchester City doesn’t look normal; one or two consecutive defeats by a big club are understandable, but six in a row is worth pondering upon. 

What’s wrong with Guardiola? 

“We don’t have the pace in the middle right now, and they are stronger in the duels,” he admitted to the Athletic after the game last Sunday. That ‘they’ could apply to most top teams, not just Liverpool and the pace in the middle is probably going to need to be brought in via the transfer market, as even the players who are four-in-a-row champions, City, are waiting to get back from the injury and do not have the dynamism and physicality this side lacks.

Guardiola’s words showed the importance of Rodri in the team and how it has affected the English side since he was sidelined due to an injury during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal. Rodri, since September, was ruled out for an injury; City has been in shambles in the midfield. 

Since Rodri’s absence, Manchester City has only recorded six wins before their straight losses in the league. 

It shows how pivotal the UEFA best player has been for the English side since he joined from Atlético Madrid in 2018. 

The other problem the team has faced in a while is the inconsistency of Kevin De Bruyne’s injury, who has been having back and forth due to injuries. 

The City team has been structured around Rodri and De Bruyne. 

Can this lead to Guardiola’s sack? 

It’s because of the profile Pep Guardiola has built over time that is the reason for the fuss about whether he will be sacked or not. No doubt, Guardiola is one of the top-rated coaches and also one of the gaffers not to be sacked in their managerial career. Aside from Zinedine Zidane and Jurgen Klopp, Guardiola is also on the list. 

But that doesn’t mean he can’t be sacked, and what City is facing doesn’t seem to be strange for any big club at the moment. 

He has said whenever he sees the fire in his players go dim, he would know it’s time to pack his bags. But rather, Pep went on to sign a contract extension for two years to stay at the Etihad. With seven winless games, yes, he can be sacked, but what Guardiola has achieved for Man City may give him a lifeline to work his magic soonest. And that should begin against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.