After what has been nothing short of a sensational first season in the Premier League for Arne Slot with Liverpool, signs of a slight wobble in the title race are beginning to show. The Reds have been magnificent under the Dutchman this term, and are still eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table with around a third of the season to go. However, they are beginning to drop points. In fact, title rivals Arsenal have actually taken more points than Liverpool in the league so far this calendar year, and from less games.
Draws away at Nottingham Forest, Everton and Aston Villa, as well as dropped points in a 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United in 2025, mean that if Arsenal win their game in hand, they would then only be five points behind Liverpool. The Gunners also have to play the Reds at Anfield in the third last game of the season. Mikel Arteta’s team can close the gap to five points if they beat West Ham at the Emirates on Saturday, before Liverpool face the task of going to the Etihad to play the champions Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. It’s not been a happy hunting ground for Liverpool of late.
Could Liverpool’s terrible PL record at the Etihad give Arsenal title hope?
Now, while there is little doubt this Man City team aren’t currently the superior side we have become so accustomed to during Pep Guardiola’s reign, epitomised by their collapse at the Santiago Bernábeu on Wednesday night, Liverpool have a gruesome record at the home of the champions. Since Guardiola became Man City manager in 2016, incredibly, Liverpool have never won a single Premier League game at the Etihad.
As illustrated in the graphic above, in the past eight seasons, Liverpool have managed four draws at the Etihad, whilst also losing four games. That includes a 5-0 drubbing in the 2017/18 season, a 4-0 defeat in the 2019/20 campaign, and a 4-1 loss in the 2022/23 season. Despite Man City’s 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid knocking them out of the Champions League, there were signs of the Sky Blues being back to their old selves in their 4-0 win against Newcastle at the Etihad last Saturday. And with Liverpool’s worrying record there, it could yet be more dropped points for them this weekend.
If Liverpool were to lose on Sunday, then it would put the title race back in Arsenal’s hands. If, and it’s a huge if, especially given their lack of forwards, the Gunners were to win all of their remaining 13 Premier League games, including against Liverpool at Anfield, they would be champions if City were also to beat Liverpool this weekend. Playing Guardiola’s team has probably never been less daunting than it is right now, but on their day, his Man City team still ooze quality, and Liverpool’s record at the Etihad could make things even more nervy this Sunday.
Which nationalities of managers have produced most points in top-5 leagues since 2000?
