'Title is over' for Manchester City if they lose to Liverpool, Arsenal in a 'stronger position' - Joe Cole
Updated 30/11/2024 at 08:10 GMT
Joe Cole believes Manchester City’s reign as Premier League champions could end this weekend if they lose to Liverpool, declaring an 11-point gap "too much" to recover. The TNT Sports expert pointed to City’s recent struggles, including their Feyenoord collapse on Tuesday, as proof the team’s invincibility is gone. Meanwhile, Cole sees Arsenal as the Reds' biggest challengers for the crown.
Highlights: Man City let three-goal lead slip to draw with Feyenoord
Video credit: TNT Sports
Manchester City will be out of the Premier League title race if they lose to Liverpool on Sunday, TNT Sports expert Joe Cole has claimed.
The four-time defending champions are on a disastrous run and blew a three-goal lead in the final 16 minutes of their clash with Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
They head to Merseyside already eight points adrift of the runaway Reds, who have made a dream start to the season under new boss Arne Slot.
Pep Guardiola's side could finish the weekend outside the top four if they fail to win at Anfield, with former Chelsea and West Ham star Cole preparing to write them off before Christmas.
"I think if they lose at the weekend, the title is over for them. 11 points? I think it will be too much," he said.
He continued: "Because they’ve lost games, and the invincibility has gone, now a few nerves have crept in and you can play with your minds. I certainly saw that late on in the Feyenoord game, the lack of composure."
City lost five straight games, including a damaging 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham, prior to their collapse against Feyenoord.
And Cole believes that Arsenal could emerge as Liverpool's biggest challengers for the title, despite sitting a point behind City in fourth.
"Arsenal are in a stronger position than Manchester City, in my opinion," he continued.
"They've had their wobble. [Martin] Odegaard's back fit. They are a younger squad, younger team. I think they will kick on."
Fellow TNT Sports expert Peter Crouch was not quite ready to rule City out, whatever Sunday's result, but said it would be a huge task if they lost at Anfield.
"You can never say it's over with City, they could go and win every single game," he said.
"But I just don't see Liverpool losing 11 points. It's mad to think City could finish third or fourth."
He added: "The Tottenham game, I just didn't see that coming at all. That was the one where I thought, 'Oh, I think there is a problem now'.
"And then being 3-0 up, I would say there's no team in world football better at controlling a game. So now you know there are issues."
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Guardiola admits draw ‘difficult to swallow’ and explains post-match cuts to face
Video credit: SNTV
Cole feared 'a David Moyes situation'
Liverpool also top the UEFA Champions League table after five wins from as many games.
They illustrated their progress under Slot with a comfortable 2-0 victory over European champions Real Madrid on Wednesday, with Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham kept on the periphery.
The Dutchman's superb start is even more impressive given he replaced Reds legend Jurgen Klopp, who delivered a first league title to Anfield in 30 years and a Champions League crown in a glorious nine-year spell.
"He’s brought his own philosophy," said Crouch.
"I think one of the most telling signs is Curtis Jones. His form has just been unreal. [Virgil] Van Dijk looks a better player from last year, [Mohamed] Salah is probably hotter than he was last year.
"I think every player seems to have improved and that’s down to the manager. He’s been a revelation.
"And we’ve seen how hard it is, look at Manchester United and Arsenal, after Ferguson and Wenger, it doesn’t just happen. Credit to him [Slot], he’s been unbelievable."
Cole said he feared a "David Moyes situation" when Slot replaced Klopp this summer, referencing the former Everton boss' struggles after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2013.
"[Slot] has improved every player," he said.
"I was concerned when he came in because we didn’t know a lot about him, I thought we could have a David Moyes situation, going in after the king and it’s very, very difficult.
"When you list it all: three of your best players out of contract, Jurgen Klopp who is loved walking out the door, there was a change in the boardroom... Arne Slot has been incredible."
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