From facing the possibility of going 10 points behind Liverpool in the title race and being in danger of losing the league title so early in the campaign, Manchester City has risen from the dead. Who would have thought at the end of December when the Reds led the way with seven points while flying high with no defeat in 20 Premier League matches that the table will turn so dramatically just over a month later?
At the moment, Man City occupies top spot on the table based on goal difference, although the Merseysiders have a game in hand. That, despite losing four of the last 12 league games. And within the same period in consideration too. After reducing the points deficit to the league leaders to a manageable four in the game at the Etihad Stadium, the defeat against Newcastle United threatened to make nonsense of the victory.
By then Liverpool just needed to win at Anfield in order to take the advantage back to seven points. And if there is anything Jurgen Klopp’s men know well how to do, it’s to win at Anfield. When Champions League progression was hanging by a thread and only victory was good enough against a formidable opponent Napoli, it was secured.
Before the meeting with Leicester, no other side in the division apart from Manchester City had been able to get even a draw at Anfield this season. So a win was seen by many as a foregone conclusion. But strange things happen in the Premier League. The 2016 champions came from behind to take a share of the spoils. A point was not such a bad result though considering the gap had increased to five at the top.
Unfortunately, another draw away at West Ham followed as City dispatched Arsenal 3-1 earlier to close the gap further. Now it had become a serious matter. The gap had been reduced to a meager three points. As history shows, that is no difficult obstacle to overcome in the Premier League.
Wait. Did I just mention history?
Oh no! That’s not what anyone sympathetic to the Liverpool course wants to hear about. History has been firmly against the Merseysiders in the Premier League era whoever is in charge at the dugout. From the legendary Kenny Dalglish to the well-traveled Rafael Benitéz who holds a special place in the hearts of most of the club’s faithful due to his Champions League exploits. From Brendan Rodgers to Jurgen Klopp, it has been the same story. The league crown has refused to grace Anfield.
It’s so bad that legendary club captain Steven Gerrard does not have a Premier League winners medal despite spending almost the whole of his amazing career at the club. The site of bewildered Luis Suarez weeping like a baby at Selhurst Park in 2014 after an unforeseen capitulation that saw the Reds miss yet another opportunity to emerge champions is unforgettable. Man City was the beneficiary on that occasion coming from behind to win the trophy for the second time in two years.
So when Pep Guardiola waxes philosophical about not giving up, it is perfectly understandable. Speaking after the 2-0 win at Everton, the Catalan manager had some choice words for anyone looking to accomplish a difficult task.
”We have played one more game. but it’s the best we can do. The reality is one month ago we could have been 10 points behind when we played Liverpool.
”A few days ago we could have been seven points behind. Now we are top of the league. That is the best advice, the lesson is - never give up.
”That is a lesson for all athletes. Try to win the games, because life can change immediately,” Guardiola stated.
It’s a lesson for everyone. Keep trying, and never give up!
Enough said.