London The two teams that have split the last seven Premier League titles—Man City six, Liverpool one—will play each other at one of the greatest stadiums in the history of sports when Liverpool hosts Manchester City.
Even though Anfield is typically excited, the noise level for this game will be unbearable right now.
Unexpectedly, Liverpool leads struggling Man City by eight points going into this match. The contenders would go one step closer to winning their second English league trophy in the previous 35 years if Liverpool were to defeat City, the four-time defending champions, and eliminate them from the title race.
Before Sunday’s game, which will live on USA Network and stream on nbc.com, kicks off at 11 a.m. ET, here are some things you should know.
Has a change of manager given Liverpool the edge in the title race?
At Liverpool, replacing Jurgen Klopp was akin to replacing Andy Reid or Bill Belichick, but Arne Slot has already managed to make Klopp, who won seven major championships during his eight years in charge and completely turned the team back into a major force, appear like a failure. In his first 17 games across all competitions, Slot has won 15 of them. The Premier League and Champions League standings are dominated by Liverpool.
How did they accomplish this?
Klopp’s high-pressing “heavy metal football” has been subtly modified to incorporate Slot’s rhythmic possession-based style.
Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch are the surprising new midfield conductors. They move around, neatly create a lethal pass, and cushion passes. Liverpool under Klopp is still in place. However, this Liverpool team chooses when to apply the brakes. Most teams are still unsure of how to respond to Slot’s added wrinkle because it came so swiftly.
These days, Liverpool is a two-headed monster. By passing the ball around calmly, they might lull you into a false sense of security and bore you into submission. However, they are still able to pick up the pace if they so choose. No one can stop them, and getting ready to play against them has turned into a multifaceted, bewildering struggle.
Why are four-time reigning Premier League champions Man City in freefall?
All dynasties must end. Pep Guardiola’s superpower seems to be disintegrating.
The persistent off-field allegations are a major concern, but on the field, Manchester City has lost five of its past six games and blew a 3-0 lead against Feyenoord with 15 minutes remaining on Tuesday, tying the score at 3-3. They have now dropped their last three Premier League games. Last season, City lost three league games, making them the first team in English soccer history to win four consecutive Premier League titles.
What caused this sudden and abrupt collapse? They have lost the ability to defend.
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For the first time since May 1963, City has given up at least twice in each of their last six games. Their aged superstars who are returning from injury are rusty, they are losing confidence, and they are leaking goals.
The loss of outstanding defensive midfielder Rodri, who was recently awarded the world’s finest player but suffered a season-ending knee injury in September, is cited by many. Although that plays a significant role, a team that has been dominant for a long time shouldn’t give up like this just because one guy is out. What is probably the best squad in English soccer history is in danger of collapsing due to a confluence of bad luck, major errors, and father time.
Will superstar Mohamed Salah stay at Liverpool? Or lead a ‘Last Dance’ style exodus?
Last Saturday, when Salah scored twice in the closing minutes to help Liverpool pull off a 3-2 victory at Southampton, I was one of only a few reporters to speak with him about his hotly contested future.
Well, December is almost here, and I still haven’t gotten any offers to stay at the club. Salah remarked, “I’m probably more out than in.” I’m simply playing, concentrating on the season, and attempting to win the Premier League and, ideally, the Champions League since I won’t be retiring anytime soon. Although I’m disappointed, we’ll see.
Salah is Liverpool’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League. This season, he’s been great, and Liverpool’s talisman has returned to being a consistent contender for all of soccer’s major awards.
However, Salah’s contract expires this summer, as does that of Liverpool’s captain, Virgil van Dijk, 33, one of the greatest defenders of all time, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, 26, one of the best graduates of Liverpool’s youth system who, with Salah and Van Dijk, has won every game in the last seven years. What Michael Jordan was to the Chicago Bulls, Salah is to Liverpool. Rodman is Van Dijk. Pippen is Alexander-Arnold.
Most Liverpool supporters find it incomprehensible that these three players have contracts expiring this summer as the team is enjoying one of its best season starts ever.
The pressure on Liverpool’s owners, the Fenway Sports Group (FSG), who also control the Boston Red Sox, to offer these three superstars massive new contracts has increased as a result of Salah’s remarks over the past week. Because of Liverpool’s wage structure, league-imposed spending caps, Salah and Van Dijk’s ages, and the path Michael Edwards, who recently returned to Liverpool as their new Chief Executive of Football, wants to take, that isn’t necessarily going to happen.
After adding a few more winning medals to their collection this season, Salah and either Van Dijk or Alexander-Arnold may still be able to continue at Liverpool. Not all three, though. There is a strong Last Dance vibe to this scenario.
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