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Roy Keane feels Manchester City could struggle to catch Liverpool in the Premier League title race if it loses to Arsenal on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side travels to the Emirates in what feels like a crucial game just a few weeks into the new season. It may only be September, but City sits nine points behind Liverpool at this early juncture, while Arsenal trails the champions by six.
Should there be a loser in Sunday’s grudge game, the task of catching Arne Slot’s side, which has won all five games this season, will feel daunting. Speaking during Sky Sports’ pre-match coverage, Keane highlighted that Liverpool lost just four league games throughout the entirety of last season. Should City come away from the Emirates with nothing, it will have suffered three defeats already this campaign.
“They [Liverpool] have put the pressure back on Arsenal today and City,” said Keane. “City, already having lost two league games, you think if they lost today, they would be a long way back. So very much pressure on both teams.
“If you're looking at both squads, you're thinking Arsenal are probably going to be the nearest rivals to Liverpool. And big pressure even today.
“You think a draw would even be great for Arsenal, but they certainly have the players and the capabilities of obviously beating City now.”
Former City defender Micah Richards was less concerned about Liverpool establishing an early lead but admitted that his old club is not as imposing this season as it has been in recent years.
“It feels mad how it's this early in the season and you feel that if you lose a game, it's the end of the world because you've got three teams essentially going for the title.
“I think historically you're looking at Man City and thinking they normally put a run of 10, 15 games where they could win them all. I don't think they’re that Man City at this moment in time, so it would be difficult.
“We're not going to write Man City off if they were to lose today but to catch Liverpool now is [difficult].”
Jamie Carragher, also present in the Sky Sports studio, agreed with his fellow pundits about the importance of Sunday’s match but added that Arsenal also can’t afford to lose ground on Liverpool.
“I actually think that Liverpool have maybe got the best team, I would say, if you're picking a best XI. But in terms of squad-wise, I think Arsenal's squad is fantastic.
“I do think they have a great opportunity this season of winning the title. But we're talking about Man City could be nine points behind. Today, I think this is a huge game for Arsenal.
“They can't afford to be six points behind as well. They've got Newcastle away next week. It's not an easy game as well.”
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