Pep Guardiola oversaw a torrid Man City run (Image: Getty)
Manchester City were surprised by Amazon Prime commentator Jon Champion on Boxing Day.
The Premier League title holders dropped even more points with a 1-1 home draw against Everton in the day's kick-off. And Liverpool scored further with a 3-1 victory over Leicester City at Anfield late in the match.
The Foxes have had a tough time of late, sacking Steve Cooper when they were outside the relegation zone and slipping back in since the appointment of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Normally, a home clash against City would be considered an almost certain defeat. But Champion criticized Pep Guardiola's side by pointing out, in the closing words of his Liverpool coverage, that they could be the perfect opponents for Leicester to end their three-game losing streak.
“They have work to do and their next game,” he said. “Well, maybe that gives them hope… it’s Manchester City.”
The Blues won their fourth consecutive league title last season and they were firmly in the race during the opening weeks of the current campaign. But their fall from grace over the past two months has been spectacular.
Mohamed Salah completed the scoring for Liverpool, who came from behind to beat Leicester (Image: Getty)
City had the advantage against Everton thanks to Bernardo Silva's deflected strike in the first half, before an outstanding finish from Iliman Ndiaye brought the visitors level. Erling Haaland won a penalty to win at the Etihad Stadium but placed his effort too close to Jordan Pickford, leaving Guardiola's men with one win in their last 13 games.
They have also lost nine matches during this run, including heavy defeats against Tottenham and Sporting. Many believe City are now out of the title race, with a 14-point gap between them and Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Guardiola has significant credit in the bank thanks to his plethora of titles since his arrival in Manchester. The former Barcelona boss suggested even Champions League qualification could be a bridge too far for his struggling players.
“When I said it earlier, people laughed,” Guardiola said. “They said: 'Qualifying for the Champions League is not a big success'. But I know because it happens with clubs in this country. They dominated for many years and after many years, they did not qualify for the Champions League.
“The only team that has been in the Champions League in recent years is Manchester City. Now we are at risk. Of course we are. Definitely.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1993289/man-city-amazon-prime-liverpool-jon-champion