This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the gap between Liverpool and Manchester is too big after the Reds beat the champions 3-1 at Anfield.
What did he say?
The win for Liverpool has opened up a nine-point lead over City, and Jurgen Klopp’s men were convincing winners in the vital clash at the top on Sunday.
The home side took the lead after just six minutes through Fabinho and after Mohamed Salah doubled the lead seven minutes later, the three points never looked in doubt. Now, after such a devastating loss for Pep Guardiola’s men, Arsene Wenger believes Liverpool could have the title wrapped up already.
“First of all, to lose a big game, it is terrible and you can see the reactions from both managers [last night], how much pressure they are under and how much a game like that means,” he told beIN Sports (via The Mirror).
“Guardiola will go home and be absolutely devastated, more than you think.
“If you think of a quantity, add 100 percent to that.
“Overall, nine points is too big a difference for Man City after 12 games.”
Surely no slip-ups
This season marks the 30th year in which Liverpool have not won a top-flight title.
Ever since their 1989-90 First Division triumph, the club have had to watch their bitter rivals down the M62 pick up 17 Premier League titles between them.
The Reds have come close to breaking their duck on a few occasions, including last season and the 2013/14 campaign. In both these seasons, the 18-time champions lost out to City, with just a point separating them last season, just as two points prevented them from glory five years ago.
However, with a nine-point gap after just 12 games, surely there will be no slip-ups this time, even by Liverpool’s standards.
Things just look different now.
The 94th-minute winner against Aston Villa, the late equaliser at Old Trafford, this win over City – this is the mark of champions.