Liverpool and Manchester City went head-to-head in a Premier League meeting on Sunday afternoon in a must-win tie for both sides.
The Reds were already out of the Champions League places going into the weekend, two points adrift of Manchester United.
There has been talk that Arne Slot could be sacked if Liverpool don’t qualify for the competition next term.
Who was Liverpool’s best player during the breathless defeat against Man City?
Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
So, with Man Utd already beating Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, it was imperative the home side got something out of the meeting.
When all was said and done, Liverpool were beaten 2-1 thanks to a late Erling Haaland penalty given away by Alisson.
There’s an unwelcome difference between Liverpool and Manchester City
After no senior players moved to Anfield in January, Slot has been stuck with a threadbare squad for the remainder of 2025/26.
Yes, Liverpool do have some injury problems. But so do City, and the difference between their two squads on the day was staggering.
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The home outfit had two goalkeepers on the bench alongside three youngsters and two players who very, very rarely start in the league.
City, on the other hand, were able to call upon the likes of Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders.
Dominik Szoboszlai needs a new contract
Sunday’s tie once again saw Dominik Szoboszlai forced to fill in at right-back.
The Hungarian has been Liverpool’s best player this season, despite having to feature on the wing and in defence.
Reports coming from Hungary this week have said Szoboszlai wants £300,000-a-week to sign a new deal.
But as Liverpool wouldn’t pay such a high wage packet to Marc Guehi in January, there may be doubts about whether the player stays beyond 2028.
He has, however, shown this season that he is an invaluable player who covers up so many issues in multiple positions, and the Merseysiders should make sure they do everything they can to see Szoboszlai stay.
Arsenal are taking Liverpool’s Premier League crown
When the season began, Liverpool should have been clear favourites for the title.
They dominated last term, then spent over £400m in the summer transfer window.
But due to a combination of several factors, including injury issues and the manager, Liverpool haven’t been anywhere close to Arsenal this term.
There is little chance City or Aston Villa catch the Gunners, and the Reds have nobody to blame but themselves.
Arsenal are a good side, but they’re not exactly at the level of the Man City or Liverpool teams in previous years.
Had Slot’s men been anywhere close to their best this season, they would have been right up there in the title race.
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