Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher has changed his Premier League champion prediction
Jamie Carragher has U-turned on his prediction for Manchester City to win the Premier League title ahead of their showdown with Liverpool.
City travel to Anfield on Sunday knowing their title defence hangs in the balance following a miserable run of form. Pep Guardiola ’s side have lost five and drawn one of their last six games in all competitions, with injuries and a loss of confidence severely hampering them.
Liverpool hold an eight-point lead over City, which they can increase to 11 with a win, and are playing superbly under Arne Slot. The Reds have 31 points from a possible 36 so far and can call upon the services of a red-hot Mohamed Salah.
Like many, former Liverpool defender Carragher backed City to win a fifth Premier League title in a row – and a seventh from the last eight seasons – before the campaign kicked off. But he is rowing back on that prediction ahead of Sunday’s match.
[
Sky Sports make big Roy Keane decision after pundit confronted fan in stands](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/sky-sports-roy-keane-ipswich-34218331)
“I think I would change that right now, if I was asked right now,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “I know there’s still a long way to go – not just Liverpool, I actually think Arsenal might finish above Manchester City, even though Manchester City are above them at the moment but I think their problems in midfield.
“I’m going to go with Liverpool to win the league now. I think they will be the bookies’ favourites, and I think they’ve got a sizeable lead. I still think it will be a very tight run-in whether that’s Manchester City trying to get at them or Arsenal coming back at them as well.”
Carragher is convinced that the wheels have come off for City, who are missing key midfielders Rodri and Mateo Kovacic through injury. Guardiola’s side threw away a 3-0 lead at home to Feyenoord in the Champions League in mid-week and look a shadow of their former selves.
Manchester City are in the worst form they've experienced under Pep Guardiola
HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Liverpool end Manchester City's dominance in the Premier League this season? Comment below.
"With some hesitation, I will make a prediction which – because of the Guardiola factor – may come back to haunt me," Carragher wrote in his Daily Telegraph column. “If City lose to Liverpool, their title defence is over before Christmas.
"An 11-point gap would be too much. That is not necessarily because Liverpool would stretch away to win the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have a real chance this season, too.
"But City would need to go into the Christmas schedule looking capable of going on one of their prolonged winning sequences. No one analysing their performances could presume they will not lose more of the 25 games remaining after the Anfield trip. On current form, City could lose another five or six."
Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read ourPrivacy Notice.