Pep Guardiola makes stark Liverpool Premier League title race admission that will worry Arsenal

Pep Guardiola has conceded that Manchester City's hopes of retaining the Premier League title will be all but over if they lose to Liverpool next Sunday. City's recent slump has seen them lose their last five games, and they will head to Merseyside eight points behind the leaders after Liverpool won at Southampton.

Guardiola acknowledged that a defeat at Anfield would be a decisive blow in the title race, saying: "Yes. In terms of Liverpool winning, winning, winning it's true. I don't know what is going to happen, but the reality is here and we have to win games."

The City boss added that his team's current fragility is a concern, but they cannot shy away from their problems. "We are a bit fragile right now, but we can't run away. We have to face it. I would like to say there is just one reason for losing three Premier League games in a row. There are many details that we have to fix."

City's 4-0 defeat to Spurs was their heaviest at the Etihad, with James Maddison scoring twice in the first half and Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson adding to the rout. Guardiola signing a new two-year contract had been confirmed earlier in the week but the momentum potentially built from that could not be carried over onto the pitch.

This was also City's worst home loss since a 5-1 defeat to Arsenal at Maine Road 21 years ago. Guardiola has experienced a rare drop in form with Man City reeling from an unexpected streak of defeats, a situation not seen since the days of Stuart Pearce's management in 2006.

Arsenal meanwhile, moved just one point behind City following their win against Nottingham Forest. Goals from Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri sealed the victory at Emirates Stadium with the Gunners likely hoping City can take points off Liverpool next weekend.

As for Liverpool, despite not being at their best, a Mohamed Salah brace helped Arne Slot's side continue their winning momentum ahead of a huge Champions League clash at home to Real Madrid this coming Wednesday.

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