Football pundit Joe Cole suggests that the pursuit of the Premier League trophy effectively ends for Manchester City if they suffer a defeat at Anfield this Sunday. The former Chelsea midfielder believes the stakes have reached a critical tipping point for the defending champions. Meanwhile, league leaders Arsenal possess the opportunity to extend their advantage to nine points should they secure a victory against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Manchester City enters this pivotal fixture following a period of uncharacteristic instability. The Citizens recently surrendered a two-goal cushion against Tottenham Hotspur, ultimately settling for a 2-2 draw last weekend. Historical data further complicates matters for Pep Guardiola, as his squad has managed to secure only a single victory during their previous 22 trips to face Liverpool on their home turf.
Cole emphasized the gravity of the situation during a recent media appearance, highlighting the psychological and mathematical weight of the upcoming clash.
“It would be the final nail in the coffin,” Cole told Paddy Power. “This is a huge game. This is one of the first massive title run in games. If they don’t win this game, I think I’d be telling everyone it’s Arsenal’s league now!”
The current trajectory of the season places immense pressure on the Manchester club to reverse their poor record at Anfield. If City fails to collect maximum points, the momentum shifts decisively toward North London. Fans and analysts now view this weekend as the definitive moment that could crown Arsenal as the primary favorites to clinch the title.
