The weekend’s big match in the Premier League sees the two leaders clash at Anfield with Liverpool visiting Manchester Town. Few would have bet on the defending champions being adrift of the EPL leaders so far, but that is the situation heading into the weekend. Pep Guardiola must stem the tide so Town can stabilize. Future Arne Slot will need to see his Reds go for the jugular and probably get an already miserable donut when December begins. Later, the distressing Midweek blow at the Etihad Stadium against FeyenoordCan beleaguered Guardiola’s day get any worse?
Don’t bet on it.
Pep under momentum
There are no two ways about it: Guardiola is under momentum in this important period for Town. Don’t necessarily suggest he could miss out, as it’s best if he extends his promise to the Premier League champions at any other time with the option of a second. On the other hand, one of those impulses that he has rarely, if ever, faced throughout his profession. This is possibly the ugliest strategy that the Catalan strategist has ever witnessed in each of its aspects and in its anguished look during the week shows that he is in uncharted territory despite his great experience. Town have already lost three times in the EPL and are eight points behind Liverpool, but the New 4-0 win at home against Tottenham Hotspur and the 3-3 in the UEFA Champions League against Feyenoord – from 3 objectives – simply illustrates how sinful things are right now.
perfect slot
What Guardiola would give for the supposedly simple step by step at Anfield in which Slot has participated so far. The Reds have extended an eight-point gap after winning 10 games and losing just once, so even a loss would still keep the gap at five points between the two. However, if they win, Liverpool could be 11 points away. In sunlight or even at this point in the campaign, it’s an especially imposing drive and one that could probably be impregnable. Even in the UCL, they have a two-point lead over the chasing group in the league, underlining their position as a team in European football. How long they will be able to store that is another question, but Slot has his team performing on par with some of Jurgen Klopp’s best spin.
Anfield benefit
There is also the undoubted advantage that playing against the home team will give the Merseysiders, with the midweek victory over Real Madrid, another example in their significant sporting pedigree. Liverpool’s only defeat so far this season may have been at home against Nottingham Jungle, but that is increasingly looking like an anomaly. Real, Bayer Leverkusen, Aston Villa, Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea have all been outplayed at Anfield in all competitions so far. Don’t bet on Town being included on that list of targets as they look to secure themselves ahead of what is usually a tough run in December for even the most well-stocked teams.
destroyed city
In the event that Slot’s team inflicts another defeat on Guardiola’s team, a gap of 11 points could be created between them that could seem decisive. Liverpool do not seem likely to brush aside many (if any) problems in either the Premier League or the Champions League any time soon. Although the Reds underwent a release method, could it be worse than Town’s? Also, how much longer will the maximum duration of this low tide last? Based on the evidence in its two main effects, Guardiola’s men are not yet out of the woods when it comes to putting the worst behind them and moving on.
Find out how to monitor
- Week: Sunday December 1 | Age: 11 a.m. Eastern Time
- Location: Anfield – Liverpool, England
- Monitor: US Community and Telemundo
