Klopp and Arteta attempt Man City title race mind games after Liverpool and Arsenal defeats

Both Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta attempted to rewrite the Premier League title race narrative after costly defeats for their sides on Sunday.

Having seen Manchester City beat Luton comfortably on Saturday to move top of the table, Liverpool and Arsenal had a chance to restore their places above City, before next weekend's schedule that sees the Blues in FA Cup action. However, Liverpool followed up last week's draw at Manchester United with a disappointing defeat to Crystal Palace - and with Arsenal fans celebrating that result ahead of their clash with Aston Villa, they were also defeated to leave City two points clear at the top.

Having handed City the momentum and the new tag of favourites, Klopp and Arteta both admitted their sides only have themselves to blame, although both suggested it had always been a matter of time before City returned to the top of the league.

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"That’s the reality now. It’s been the same for a few months. We knew this moment could come," Arteta said, having led City for months. "And now it’s about reacting and keeping believing and doing what we can do.

"If one result is going to do that [let the season fizzle out] then we are not strong enough. That’s very simple. We had one of the best performances that we’ve had all season in the first half against a really good team. We congratulate the opponent and stand up. Now the moment is to stand up and be counted. When you win and win and win for four months it’s very simple to do it. The moment to do it is now.

"If you want to win championships, if you want to be