Manchester City will top Liverpool in the Premier League again
Liverpool will make it a close one again, but in the end…
August has arrived, and that means one thing: football season is back. With the Premier League set to begin next weekend, one can only guess who will emerge as League Champions for this season considering how close last season was between Manchester City and Liverpool.
As we all know, the Reds became the best runner up in English Football history losing only one game all season and finishing with 97 points, a number that would practically assure a title any other year. But last year, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were in the way. So, which of these titans will prevail this year? We at least know that nobody from the remaining 18 teams will even come close to.
More from Manchester City
- Manchester City and their enigmatic coach stand on the cusp of greatness
- Three challenges Manchester City might face in upcoming season
- 3 potential destinations for Raheem Sterling next season
- Manchester City officially announce Erling Haaland signing
- Gabriel Jesus set for Manchester City departure
This summer’s transfer window depicts neither of the two teams have made significant changes so far. If anything, Liverpool released long time players Daniel Sturridge (winger) and Alberto Moreno (left-back). However, the players they’ve added so far have been small and close to irrelevant.
The Citizens, on the other hand, have brought in a few more players, with their most important signing being Spaniard defensive midfielder Rodri from Atlético de Madrid. Other than him, no other big names were brought in. When it comes to players released, long time defender and captain Vincent Kompany is the name that stands out. After years of struggling with nagging injuries and missing a lot of playing time, adding to the fact that he is now 33, Man City could hold on to him no longer.
They are very similar in many ways
Looking at their current rosters, both teams are terrifying on paper and can win a game any given day against any team in the world (yes, even Barca, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich). They are world class level teams.
Liverpool displayed this power in the Champions League this past season. But we are looking for our Premier League winners; the team who can be consistent enough to endure 38 games over a 9 month period and remain atop of English football, Manchester City.
Both have the proven recipe for success: 1) A keeper who can stop shots and play the ball with their feet (Allison Becker / Ederson). Not to mention, they are the 1-2 order of goalies for the Brazil National Team, respectively. 2) That almost flawless, gritty defender who injects passion and strength by example (van Dijk / Laporte). 3) Unstoppable winger (Mané / Sané). 4) One great defensive midfielder (Fabinho / Fernandinho). 5) One great creative midfielder (Salah / De Bruyne). 6) One killer striker (Firmino / Aguero). 7) Last, but not least, a world class manager (Klopp / Guardiola).
What makes them different?
And not to mention, the amazing depth they have at every position. So, what separates these two world class teams? Two things. First off, age. This benefits Liverpool. Most of Manchester City’s key players are older than the Reds’. Take Aguero for instance, just having turned 31, or David Silva, now 33. Even Otamendi and Fernandinho, 31 and 34, respectively. On the other side, only James Milner, 33 represents a vital player who is over 30. All others over 30 are dispensable.
But there is a more defining second element that separates these 2 teams: experience. And for me, the defining factor as well. This one goes to Manchester City, who have now won 2 consecutive Premier League titles.
They know what it takes to be consistent and not lose focus over a 9 month span. And their manager has done nothing but that in every team he’s led . He won three straight La Ligas with Barcelona from 2008-2011, three straight Bundesligas with Bayern Munich from 2013-16, and he’s now doing it with the Sky Blues. That makes for 8 league titles in 10 tries.
Liverpool and its players have not. Winning the Champions League is indeed experience, but not the same as enduring a 9 month battle. The Reds have not won a league title since 1989-90. And their manager, Jurgen Klopp, has not been a league title specialist, either. He has only won 2 league titles, both coming with Borussia Dortmund from 2011-13.
Don’t get me wrong, he’s had a stellar managerial career and is no doubt a Hall of Famer, but just hasn’t come close to his Spanish rival when it comes to league titles. Not only that, but it will be very hard for him to repeat a one-loss season again. That doesn’t happen very often at all, let alone two consecutive years. Things will be much tougher and pressure will be higher for Liverpool this year.
That is why Manchester City will win its third consecutive Premier League title, making it the third time Guardiola accomplishes that in his career, each time with a different team. Liverpool may be better suited for Champions League or FA Cup, but when it comes to the Premier League, no one is a better fit than Guardiola and his Man City squad.
Next. Manchester United: Paulo Dybala sets his conditions straight. dark
Who do you think will win the Premier League in 2019-20?