Pep Guardiola gave a tongue-in-cheek response when discussing the ever-changing narrative surrounding the Premier League title race, joking Liverpool are now “done” following their recent run of poor form. The Manchester City manager delivered the wry take when recalling how his side were written off following a start to the season which saw them lose two of their opening three games.
City back in title race discussion following five-game unbeaten run
Following a 2024-25 season which saw City fail to claim any silverware, Guardiola’s side were considered by many bookmakers to be third favourites for this season’s league title, behind both Liverpool and Arsenal. City then saw their odds increase when they suffered successive defeats against Tottenham and Brighton in August, having beaten Wolves 4-0 in their opening league fixture.
However, City are now the name on everyone’s lips in the title race discussion, having put together a five-game unbeaten run in the league. Following victories over Manchester United, Burnley, Brentford and Everton – having also recorded a draw with Arsenal – Guardiola’s men have now risen to second in the table, three points behind Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and one point above Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportLiverpool have title credentials questioned following losing run
Liverpool, meanwhile, have had their title credentials questioned for the first time following a recent four-match losing streak. The Reds suffered defeats against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea and United before getting back on track with an impressive 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday. Slot’s men are looking to return to winning ways in the league when they travel to Brentford on Saturday evening, whereas Guardiola and City head to Aston Villa on Sunday after defeating Villarreal in their European encounter on Tuesday.
Guardiola pokes fun at pundits' early-season predictions
And ahead of another weekend which will see attentions return to the title race, Guardiola poked fun at pundits’ reactions to City’s early-season form when asked about Liverpool’s disappointing league results of late.
"In the first two, three games we were done and now it looks like Liverpool (who are third after three consecutive losses) are done,” Guardiola joked ahead of City’s trip to Aston Villa. "I'll tell you that we will be back.
"I've said many times that the pundits, the specialists, the former footballers know what's going to happen after five games — I'm not able to do that.
"10, 15 games to know what's going on. Liverpool and Arsenal are there, someone else will be there and hopefully we can be there.”
Getty Images SportHaaland the catalyst for City being discussed as title contenders again
While the likes of Nico O’Reilly and Phil Foden have played key roles in helping City return to form, Erling Haaland has undoubtedly been the catalyst behind the 10-time champions’ being discussed as title contenders once again. The Norway international has been in remarkable goalscoring form in 2025-26, netting 15 times in just 11 games for City. The former Borussia Dortmund man has also replicated his club efforts on the international stage, scoring a hat-trick against Israel earlier this month to put his country on the brink of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.