Man City fans' chant exposes harsh reality for Liverpool and new title rivalry

Just under a year ago Manchester City and Liverpool played out a Premier League classic at the Etihad. The two great teams of the era went toe-to-toe in another pulsating title race that would again end with the title in Pep Guardiola's hands.

Back then it seemed like a rivalry that would run and run, but 357 days on this was another big day for City's aspirations of a fifth title in six seasons, but another dark day in Liverpool's descent to also-rans as far as the honours are concerned.

Jurgen Klopp's team took the lead against the run of play, but even with the advantage Klopp was never happy. He spent most of the game in a state of perpetual fury on the touchline and by full-time this was less a contest of brilliant equals and more an afternoon that exposed the reality that these two teams no longer operate in the same stratosphere.

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It is Arsenal who occupy minds at the Etihad now and if Mikel Arteta feels like calling Klopp to find out what it's like to take on City down the stretch, he should put his phone down. In 2018/19 they won the final 14 games to edge out Liverpool. Last season it was six wins from seven and 27 goals after the 2-2 draw here.

Pressure is a privilege is a phrase beloved by sportspeople and it seems to seep into the City dressing room. They've now won six of their last seven in the league and are playing better than at any other time this season. This is the first time they've won four league games in a row in 2022/23. Arsenal will be feeling the heat at the top of the table.

They might have had one eye on this game at the Emirates and might have been buoyed by the absence of Erling Haaland, but even when they went behind City didn't look in trouble