Liverpool FC sent clear message by Man City's Pep Guardiola masterpiece in Manchester derby

Following their thumping 4-1 win against Manchester United on Sunday, Manchester City have taken 19 points from a possible 24 in the Premier League since the turn of the year.

For most teams that would sound like a pretty healthy return, but for a side with standards as high as City's, it represents a tail-off in form.

Looking past the results, it's clear that City have dipped since the start of 2022. Pep Guardiola's side were fortunate to leave Arsenal with three points after Rodri snatched a last-gasp winner, while the win at Everton last week was on balance deserved but not at all convincing.

Add to that the dramatic 3-2 loss to Tottenham and a 1-1 draw at Southampton and you'd be forgiven for feeling a little alarmed by City's position in the title race. After all, those dropped points have seen the Reds slash City's advantage at the top of the table to six points, three if Jurgen Klopp's side win their game in hand.

City haven't been at their best for a couple of months and Liverpool have been on the charge. Sound familiar? The 2018/19 title run-in took years off our lives, but ultimately City found a way to keep winning - even if it wasn't always pretty.

But fear not, maybe that isn't the way that things have to pan out between now and May 22nd.

City were dominant in the second half against United, showing Liverpool and everybody else watching that the champions have got their swagger back.

In the first half City struggled to keep hold of the ball in the way they usually do so well, as United forced them to reduce their game to counter-attacks and mad dashes to defend.

City went into half-time 2-1 up, but they looked anything but assured.

The Blues came out a different team though, clinical and relentless on the