Man City will again be challenging for the Premier League title next season, Liverpool has said head coach Arne Slot prior to the two parties on Etihad on Super Sunday in the Etihad.
City turned out to be the biggest thorn in the side of Liverpool for Slot's predecessor Jurgen Klopp, whom she peaks twice on a point.
But this season Pep Guardiola's side are 17 points behind their rivals, who are a chance to win their second Premier League-Kroon prior to their visit to the Etihad this weekend, live on Sky Sports.
Before the game, Slot said that he was just as shocked as the rest of the Premier League with the extent of the city's problems this season, but said after an investment of £ 180 million January that they were already on the way back – and that They are sure to be challenging Liverpool for the title next season.
“Everyone is surprised that City is not there because they have been there for so many years,” said Slot.
“They have a great manager who has shown that he can be there every season. So I don't think someone would have expected them to be so many points behind us now. I see that they are coming up again.
“I think they were very good against Newcastle last weekend. They have already brought in three or four new players, so I think everyone knows that this is probably a one -off season that they are not there.
“Everyone knows that this is a one -off season that they are not there, and everyone, at least I, expect them to be there again next season because you can already see them go up. So that's a surprise, but I think they already be much better.
“They started the season well, I think they are coming again. But they have dropped too many points in a difficult period of the season, where they also had many injuries. And then this competition is ruthless. If you are not Your best, then every game is difficult.
Liverpool -captain Virgil van Dijk shares the sentiment of his manager. The Reds are unbeaten in their last three against the champions, but have won only one league match in the Etihad in November 2015 in the last 15 years.
“One hundred percent,” Van Dijk said when he was asked if the city remains dangerous despite their overwhelming season.
“They defeated Newcastle with 4-0 the other day. For one reason they were four times in a row four times in a row. So they deserve all the respect they get and we will certainly give them.
“But on Sunday we go there and try to win the game. And we know it will be difficult because we have not won there in the Premier League there, we all know that. But we have to go outside with brave , together with our fans and everything we have and try to get a step closer. “
A title win this season would be Liverpool's 20th and would match the record that is currently being held by Manchester United.
Recent setbacks in Everton and Aston Villa mean that the second placed arsenal remains in hunting, but Van Dijk says that Liverpool's focus is on their own results instead of that of Mikel Arteta's side.
“Arsenal chases and we also try to win every game,” he told Sky Sports.
“For us, that's why I have said it often, we just have to concentrate on ourselves. And that is the most important thing. If we win our games – and that is already a difficult thing – then we will be good. But we have to be ourselves. Continue to concentrate.
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