Context is everything. City dropped points over the Christmas period whilst fighting on four fronts and operating with a depleted squad (their three best players were injured simultaneously). Liverpool, by accident or design (Klopp sycophants will say design as if it was a measure of his guile), were bombed out of both domestic cups so have a clear road ahead of them domestically now, all the while competing with practically their best XI each week (Gomez and Alexander-Arnold’s injuries are nowhere near as troublesome for them as the injuries City sustained).
Folk always believed City’s ‘blip’ (courtesy of two wondergoals for Leicester and Palace respectively) was an anomaly and that they’d bounce back when their injuries cleared up, which they have. They also have the distinction of being winners, a huge advantage in a title race, and their experience will have told them not to panic. Liverpool were ten points clear of City barely five weeks ago and that deficit has been blitzed in no time at all. Title run-ins generally ebb and flow but it’s not a good sign for Liverpool to be wobbling this early, particularly when you consider their performances have been dire. They were considerably lucky to get anything out of the Leicester and West Ham games last week. I would be acutely worried if I was a Liverpool fan.
Yes, as you say context is everything.
City, with a fully fit squad, with no players out of any note, lost to a relegation threatened Newcastle literally 10 days ago, having spent more money than any other team on the planet in the last 3 years compiling a world class squad. This is the same City that has now lost 4 games in the league this season.
This is the same City that pissed the league last season, and the same City that many touted as the best team in the world, and potentially the best title winning team we have ever seen, and the same City, some are still tipping for the quadruple.
They were expected to be the same, if not better this season. No team were expected to give them a run for their money this season. They were overriding and clear favourites for the title.
Liverpool, on the other hand, drew 2 games, without their first choice right back, centre back, and central midfield.
With all due respect, you can’t say that Gomez’s injury and Trents injuries are less troubling? We had / have the best defence in the league, notably down to these 2 players, and anyone can see that playing a 77 year old Milner at right back, and a 4th choice centre back in the unreliable, passive Martip would have an impact. Add to that Van Dirk playing will illness, having lost 4KG’s in a week, you have a real challenge.
If you add Lovrens injury to that list, and Oxlaide Chamberlains injury, Henderson’s injury and Wijnaldums injury, then you’re significantly depleted.
When City had injuries to De Bruyne and Fernandinho (Both have been back since December) they bring on title winning Mahrez, title winning Bernardo Silva, and Jesus. When you have a stronger - in depth squad, as City have, injuries are soaked up more, with less impact. Any of these players would walk in to any team in the land.
Liverpool were never 10 points clear at any stage, so I’m not sure where that has come from? 7 points yes, with the next game up against City. Who then reduced it to 4. It could have been 10, but we lost away, which was our only loss of the season.
If bottling it, means having your best ever start, losing one game after 26 matches, with the best defence in the league, and actually being top of the league, then il take bottling all day long.