Title Race Status: How City & Liverpool Responded This Week

As the Premier League enters the final stretch of the 2024–25 season, all eyes are on the two title challengers who have defined this campaign—Manchester City and Liverpool. In a week that offered both opportunity and caution, the two clubs responded in contrasting yet telling ways. [MJ88]

Manchester City, reigning champions and accustomed to grinding through the toughest parts of the season, faced Southampton at St Mary’s in what initially appeared to be a manageable fixture. Liverpool, meanwhile, hosted Luton Town, a match widely expected to go in their favor. The difference in results may seem subtle on the surface, but their implications on the title race are deeper than the points column alone.

Manchester City: Frustration in Southampton

City’s 0-0 draw away at Southampton marked their second goalless result in their last four matches. Pep Guardiola’s side dominated possession (72%), completed over 600 passes, and created 14 goal-scoring opportunities. But despite their usual territorial control, they lacked the incision needed to break down a well-organized Southampton block.

There was an air of predictability about City’s buildup—Rodri and Kovacic circulated the ball patiently, while Foden and Bernardo Silva drifted between the lines. Erling Haaland, often a decisive figure, was well-marshaled by Southampton’s back line, particularly by Armel Bella-Kotchap, who had one of his most assured performances of the season.

The draw leaves City two points behind Liverpool, with both clubs having played the same number of matches. More concerning for Guardiola will be his side’s relative bluntness in front of goal. Since Kevin De Bruyne’s injury recurrence in late April, the creative burden has spread thinner, and while Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden have stepped up at times, their efforts have yet to fully compensate.

Liverpool: Clinical and Controlled

In stark contrast, Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Luton at Anfield was a reminder of the efficiency that has come to define their season under Jürgen Klopp. Goals from Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Diogo Jota secured all three points in a performance that was as measured as it was dominant.

While Luton had spells of defensive resilience, Liverpool’s high press suffocated their rhythm early, forcing errors and creating turnovers in dangerous areas. Alexis Mac Allister was instrumental in this regard—his work rate and distribution set the tone in midfield. In defense, Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk kept things tidy, limiting Luton to just a single shot on target.

Importantly, Klopp opted for rotation, resting key players such as Luis Díaz and Andy Robertson, showing a growing confidence in the squad’s depth. It’s a shift from previous seasons when overreliance on a narrow group led to late-season fatigue.

Where the Title Race Stands

With six matches remaining, Liverpool sit on 83 points, while City trail on 81. Arsenal are five points further back, still mathematically in contention but increasingly reliant on others slipping up.

The momentum appears to be with Liverpool. Their last five matches have yielded 13 points, including wins over Spurs and Aston Villa. City, by comparison, have drawn twice and won three over the same span. While Guardiola’s men have proven themselves capable of late-season surges—see their 2022–23 run—this campaign’s fixture congestion and injury woes seem to be taking a toll.

The upcoming fixtures will test both teams’ resolve. Liverpool still have tricky away games at Newcastle and Brentford, while City face tough opponents in West Ham and Spurs.

Tactical Comparison: Energy vs. Control

Liverpool’s style has matured. No longer just the “heavy metal football” of early Klopp years, they now play with a balanced tempo, leveraging width and smart pressing triggers. Their midfield trio of Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, and Curtis Jones offers both energy and craft.

City, by contrast, continue to rely on their structured possession system. However, there are signs that opposition teams are better prepared to deal with it—especially lower-block teams like Southampton. City’s success historically has been built not just on control, but also on moments of chaos created by players like De Bruyne and Mahrez, both of whom have either departed or are sidelined.

The Psychological Edge

The mental dimension cannot be ignored. Liverpool’s squad appears galvanized—players speak of “one last ride” with Klopp, who is set to leave at season’s end. There’s a palpable sense of mission within the club, and it’s translating to the pitch.

City, though still composed, don’t look invincible. The Club World Cup in January disrupted rhythm and added matches to an already bloated schedule. Their Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid may also have dented morale more than expected.

Conclusion: A Two-Horse Race with Margins That Matter

As of this week, Liverpool hold the edge—both in points and performance trajectory. City, while still formidable, face questions about depth and late-season sharpness. The title race isn’t over, and as history has shown, momentum can shift quickly. But with form, fitness, and psychology trending in their favor, Liverpool are showing the hallmarks of a side ready to finish strong.

What’s certain is that the next few weeks promise compelling football—and perhaps a farewell flourish for one of the Premier League’s most influential managers.