Liverpool’s 44 game unbeaten run was ended by Watford as they beat the Reds 3-0, in one of the most shocking results of the season on Saturday evening. Manchester City then rubbed salt in the wounds of Jurgen Klopp’s side by beating Aston Villa 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final to secure the first piece of domestic silverware of the season. However, Liverpool are still cruising towards winning their first league title in 30 years with a 22-point lead at the top of the table, and later on, Paul Merson had some bold claims regarding the Reds’ impending Premier League win.
What did he say?
Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Debate Merson said: “Man City can still have a better season than Liverpool? They can’t.” The former Premier League winner added: “Liverpool won the Champions League losing more games than they did in the Premier League last season. How does that work? That tells you everything. The Premier League is the ultimate.”
“Man City win the Carabao Cup because their squad is massive and they have two teams. You can lose around a third of your games in the Champions League and still win it,” the former Arsenal midfielder revealed.
Domestic supremacy shifting
Manchester City may have lifted the first domestic trophy available to English sides at the weekend, with manager Pep Guardiola describing Manchester City’s domestic success as “unrivalled”, but their dominance is under threat. Having won two Premier League titles amassing astonishing point hauls in the past two seasons, the Citizens have dropped off in the league this term and Liverpool have left them in their wake with a 22-point margin between first and second. Had they not been busy lifting the FIFA World Club Cup there is every chance that Liverpool could have been the ones meeting City in the final, as opposed to the Aston Villa side which knocked their U23’s out of the competition.
While the Sky Blues’ domestic success is particularly impressive, it is certainly not unrivalled and the Merseyside club will lie in wait to challenge Guardiola’s words as they attempt to secure a first domestic double since 1985/86.
