Liverpool is facing immense pressure to reverse their current slump as they prepare to face Aston Villa, while Manchester City will look to exploit Bournemouth's defensive vulnerabilities in their upcoming match.
Liverpool's "Crisis"
Liverpool's recent form has been nothing short of disastrous, leading many to describe the situation at Anfield as a "crisis". The reigning Premier League champions have suffered a string of defeats, including four consecutive losses in the league. This poor run has seen them drop to seventh place, seven points behind league leaders Arsenal.
The latest setback came in the Carabao Cup, where they were eliminated by Crystal Palace after a 3-0 defeat at Anfield. Manager Arne Slot made ten changes to the starting lineup for that match, but the result did not improve, increasing speculation about his job security. However, the club has confirmed that they will not sack Slot despite the team's struggles.
Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher has been particularly critical, pointing to a lack of physicality in the team as a major weakness. He also highlighted the team's inability to win first challenges and pick up second balls, making them vulnerable to direct tactics. Carragher didn't hold back in his assessment of Liverpool's title defense, stating that serious questions would be asked of the players, coaching staff, and management.
Slot himself believes that Liverpool needs to reinvent themselves, as their rivals have found a blueprint to beat them. He acknowledged the defensive problems and emphasized the need to conjure a new plan for his team. The upcoming match against Aston Villa is crucial for Liverpool to turn things around and ease the pressure on Slot and the team. A loss could see their season unravel before Christmas.
Manchester City's Opportunity
Meanwhile, Manchester City will be aiming to continue their strong home form when they host Bournemouth. Despite a recent defeat to Aston Villa, Manchester City has been generally strong, with eight wins in their last 11 games in all competitions. Their home record is particularly impressive, with four straight wins at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City has dominated their past encounters with Bournemouth, winning 17 out of 18 matches. The Sky Blues have scored 53 goals to Bournemouth's 12 in those games. History suggests another high-scoring affair is on the cards.
Bournemouth's defensive frailties could be a major concern against City. While Bournemouth's overall results have been decent, their defense has conceded a lot of away goals. Teams like Leeds United and Crystal Palace have created numerous chances against them. Manchester City will be confident that they can exploit these vulnerabilities, with Erling Haaland expected to lead the line.
While acknowledging Bournemouth's attacking threat, City will be looking to capitalize on their opponent's defensive shortcomings and maintain their strong home record. A win would help them close the gap on league leaders Arsenal.
