Why Man City should support Liverpool FC in crucial title race showdown vs Southampton

When it comes to jumping that final hurdle, Manchester City are used to their rivals bottling it and handing them the title without them having to kick a ball.

City learned they were champions both last season and in 2018 when Manchester United dropped points on a day Pep Guardiola's side weren't even playing. They had done the hard work before that but didn't have to make that final push themselves.

On Tuesday, if Liverpool lose to Southampton at St Mary's, the same scenario will happen again - City will be crowned champions before they next play. It's a tempting proposition, and one many fans would hope for to avoid any final day nerves, but after such a long campaign it would feel wrong if City don't complete the job themselves this time.

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Guardiola has called for all City fans to support them at the Etihad on Sunday when Aston Villa are the visitors - although he also asked Southampton to beat Liverpool 4-0. That might be more than City can hope for, as Guardiola's mischievous smile acknowledged, and if Liverpool beat Southampton, they will be one point behind going into their final day fixture against Wolves. They would need City to drop points to be champions themselves.

If Liverpool draw at Southampton, they will need City to lose against Villa and to beat Wolves, with a goal difference swing of seven. It would be difficult, but it could be done. Whatever happens, City know they can win the title if they beat Villa, and that should be their only concern.

Of course, if Liverpool lose on Tuesday, it will be well-received at the Etihad, but maybe the Blues need another final day experience like they had at Brighton in 2019, or even, to