It’s still very early in the Premier League title race but Man City look to have imploded.
Pep Guardiola’s side have lost their fifth game in a row – never has the Spaniard gone on such a long consecutive run of defeats.
It has all coincided with the absence of Rodri, the Ballon d’Or winning midfielder who is currently out with an injury and who seemingly Man City desperately rely on.
Rodri’s absence has undoubtedly given Liverpool a huge boost in the Premier League title race. However, it can also teach Arne Slot key lessons as well.
Here are three things have Liverpool learnt from Rodri’s implosion.
Rodri’s implosion shows Liverpool are the stronger side
In the title race, it’s now evident Guardiola’s side rely on Rodri. Without him they are very vulnerable and easy to exploit.
Sporting CP and Tottenham have completely obliterated them in recent weeks.
Liverpool on the other hand have more than just one key player. There’s Salah who can step up and deliver. Gravenberch is capable of playing that holding midfield role, but Endo can step in his place as well.
There’s also Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold as well as Alisson Becker. Ibrahima Konate can be added to that list as well.
Liverpool simply have a much stronger squad that does not rely on one player.
Rodri’s implosion shows nothing can be taken for granted
Before Rodri’s injury, Man City seemed like they were on top of the world. They had gone on an unbeaten run of 31 games in the Premier League.
It was as if nothing could wound Guardiola’s side. They had won everything possible and had dominated English football.
Last season Arsenal and Liverpool tried and failed to topple their hegemony. Yet in an instant all of that has vanished. Guardiola’s side have lost their advantage and now they are desperately struggling and needing a big win against Liverpool next weekend.
Liverpool need to learn from this. Slot’s side are in a good run of form but that can change so quickly. All it takes is one bad defeat to go on a rut and it’s difficult to come back from that once you are there.
Klopp’s side learned that last season as well.
Rodri’s implosion shows the importance of tying down key players
All of this could very well happen to Liverpool as well. As we mentioned it above, Liverpool have more than just one Rodri.
There’s probably about three in the form of Van Dijk, Salah and Alexander-Arnold.
For now, they’re all at the club. However, next season it’s uncertain whether they’ll still be at Anfield.
All three of them could very well leave at the end of the season upon the expiry of their contracts and then Liverpool would suffer a similar implosion.
That’s why it’s imperative Richard Hughes ties all of them down to new deals.
