Man City is back, Liverpool beware!

29/09/2025 07:57:00 SportScoop

After a shaky start, Man City is showing a strong comeback. Consecutive wins and the explosive form of key players are helping Pep Guardiola's team challenge Liverpool's Premier League crown.

1. August ended with concerns as Man City suffered back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Brighton. It was a rare occurrence for Guardiola's side to lose two consecutive Premier League matches in one month, leading many to doubt their title chances. Some suggested Man City was entering a decline phase, especially with Liverpool’s powerful start.

However, just weeks later, Man City demonstrated true champion resilience. They defeated MU in the derby, overcame Napoli in the Champions League, beat Huddersfield in the League Cup, and most recently crushed Burnley 5-1. In their last 5 matches across all competitions, they won 4 and drew only once against Arsenal.

The Burnley match showcased City’s perseverance. Throughout the first half, they struggled against Burnley’s low defensive block and even conceded an equalizer. But as the game progressed, the champion’s spirit shone through. Two own goals by Maxime Esteve and a late Haaland brace sealed the victory. Guardiola admitted: "In the last 20 minutes, we played our best football. When the team needed it, we found the goals."

Notably, this win came just as Liverpool unexpectedly lost to Crystal Palace. The gap in the standings is now only 5 points. Guardiola is pleased not just with the result but also because he clearly senses the fighting spirit returning in the dressing room.

2. Erling Haaland remains Man City’s brightest star. Against Burnley, he was almost silent for 90 minutes but managed to leave his mark with two goals in stoppage time. So far this season, Haaland has scored 15 goals in 9 games — an incredible rate proving he is still Guardiola’s most reliable "lethal weapon."

“Winning culture” has returned to Man City

Pep Guardiola acknowledges the team depends heavily on Haaland, but he sees this as natural: "That’s his job. When you have a striker who knows how to show up at the right moment, the whole team gains much more confidence."

However, City’s revival isn’t just about Haaland. Phil Foden — once doubted for inconsistency — has now become the "heart" of their play. Kevin De Bruyne’s departure left a gap, and Foden is filling it with top form. He moves widely, controls the game’s rhythm, and creates turning points in many situations. It’s no coincidence that the English media call him "irreplaceable" in Pep’s system.

Jeremy Doku is also making remarkable progress. Three assists in his last three games show the surprising consistency of the 23-year-old. His speed, technique, and disruptive ability force opponents to assign at least two markers. In Guardiola’s rotation system, Doku is increasingly important, helping City’s attack rely less on familiar forwards.

3. Liverpool still leads the table and is considered a top contender for the title. Their expensive star lineup combined with the experience of key players makes Arne Slot’s team highly rated. However, the 1-2 loss to Crystal Palace exposed a problem: they aren’t yet stable enough to break away from the chasing pack.

Meanwhile, Man City has shown resilience during a congested fixture period. They played 7 matches in just 22 days across 3 competitions, delivering nearly perfect results. This is the clearest proof of the "winning culture" Guardiola often mentions.

The Premier League season has only passed 6 rounds, but the scenario is becoming clear: Liverpool is unlikely to run away with the title alone. With their form reviving, Man City will be a major threat to anyone. Pep Guardiola openly states his ambition: "Our only goal is always the next match. This team has shown over the past decade that only winning is acceptable."

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