Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few weeks, you’ll be fully aware of Manchester City’s slump in form. Despite Pep Guardiola recently committing to a new two-year contract extension with the Citizens, his evidently wounded troops are struggling to perform as they attempt to secure their fifth Premier League title in a row, a feat that has never been done before.
Slot’s Liverpool are on fire
Manchester City’s team are certainly talented, though, but talent can only get you so far when you’re mentally exhausted. City’s exploits over the last few years, which includes a magnificent treble-winning campaign, have perhaps taken its toll. Players have become stale, Pep is working with an ageing squad, and their defensive solidity of old is now firmly a thing of the past.
Throw in the resurgence of Liverpool under new manager Arne Slot and Manchester City’s players appear to be crumbling under pressure. Slot’s Liverpool have been a joy to watch, they’re full of energy given the new style the former Feyenoord boss is successfully implementing, and they’re look like serious title contenders. Fans are confidently picking a reinvigorated Mohamed Salah in their fantasy football squads, they’re backing the Reds for the title after looking at the safest betting sites, and they’re looking like they can’t be stopped.
City, on the other hand, are struggling to get things moving in the right direction. Let’s assess why below.
Rodri is a huge miss
It doesn’t take a genius to realise the impact Rodri’s absence is having on Manchester City. Not only is the Ballon d’Or winner currently the finest player in his position, but he provides some much-needed protection in front of City’s leaky defense, while he is also an undoubted leader Pep Guardiola has relied on in the past. With his ability to put out fires and his underrated attacking output, Rodri’s role just hasn’t been filled. In fact, Manchester City have won 74.1 per cent of their Premier League games with Rodri in the team, whereas they’ve lost 61.9 per cent without their reliable Spaniard pulling the strings in midfield.
City’s defensive fragility is alarming
With Rodri’s absence leaving the defense he’d usually be supporting seemingly all over the place, City’s defensive issues have been impossible to ignore. For example, in the recent 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League, it was the first time in Guardiola’s managerial career that his team failed to win a match after leading by three goals. Previously solid presences in the shape of Joško Gvardiol and Nathan Ake are out of form, while the likes of Rúben Dias and Kyle Walker are also looking out of sorts. All top sides build from the back and most of Manchester City’s issues start there.
A lack of options in attack
Another notable reason behind Manchester City’s decline is arguably down to their distinct lack of options in attack. After failing to replace Julián Alvarez following his move to Atletico Madrid, plus the devastating long-term injury picked up by Oscar Bobb, a club that has been filled with attacking riches in recent times appears to be weak. Throw in an ageing Kevin de Bruyne and it’s fair to say City’s attack just isn’t as frightening as it used to be. Erling Haaland certainly can’t do it all on his own either.
While Manchester City’s sudden drop in form will be leaving rival fans in a buoyant mood, if there’s a manager who can turn things around, it’s Pep Guardiola. One thing’s for sure, there will be more twists and turns to come in a season that is shaping up rather nicely.