Arne Slot has admitted that Pep Guardiola’s tactical brilliance will eventually steer Manchester City out of their recent slump, but the Liverpool manager is hoping to maintain his side’s impressive run as they prepare to face the reigning Premier League champions this Sunday.
Liverpool’s form under Slot continues to impress, with their midweek 2-0 victory over Real Madrid securing them top spot in their Champions League group. Domestically, they are looking unstoppable, sitting comfortably eight points clear of City, who are struggling with a series of disappointing results.
City’s recent downturn includes an unprecedented five consecutive defeats, the latest being a dramatic collapse against Feyenoord, where they squandered a 3-0 lead to finish with a 3-3 draw. Adding to City’s woes, the injury to Rodri—widely considered one of their most influential players—has left Guardiola with a tough challenge in his bid to defend the Premier League title.
Despite acknowledging City’s troubles, Slot is confident that Guardiola will find a solution sooner rather than later. “Pep is one of the best because he always knows how to adapt when things aren’t going right,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference. “Rodri’s injury is a big blow, but if anyone can find a way to recover from a setback, it’s Guardiola. Hopefully, it’s not this weekend.”
Slot, who has already won the admiration of Liverpool supporters for his tactical approach, referenced Guardiola’s past innovations as a reminder of how quickly City can turn things around. “We’ve seen Guardiola come up with ideas that no one else has thought of before, like using full-backs as inverted wingers or shifting a center-back into a deep midfield role,” he explained. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he comes up with something like that again to get them back on track.”
However, Liverpool’s victory over Madrid came with its own set of challenges. The club is now facing potential injuries to key defenders Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate, who both limped off late in the match. “It’s always a worry when a player like Conor needs to come off, and Ibou had difficulty walking after such a solid performance,” Slot said, hinting at possible changes to the starting lineup. Trent Alexander-Arnold, however, is fit and ready to fill in if needed.
Liverpool’s current eight-point lead after 12 matches is a strong position, with history showing that such a lead at this stage of the season often results in a title win. But with City still a formidable force, Slot refuses to take their current form lightly. “You can never consider City to be an easy opponent, regardless of their recent run,” he said. “They are still a world-class team, and we will treat them with the respect they deserve.”
With City’s resilience and Liverpool’s ambition both on full display, Sunday’s match could be a defining moment in the title race. If Liverpool can extend their lead and push City further into crisis, they will send a statement to the rest of the league. But for now, Slot remains focused on the immediate challenge ahead, hoping to guide Liverpool to another crucial win.
