Jamie Carragher has said Manchester City’s title hopes are over and believes the Citizens now have a ‘fight on their hands’ to finish in the top four.
Pep Guardiola’s side lost 2-0 at Liverpool on Sunday, a result that leaves the champions 11 points behind the league-leading Reds in the table. Defeat continued a torrid run of form for City, who are without a win in seven games across all competitions – losing six.
City’s defeat was also their fourth consecutive league loss, the first time the club have done so for 16 years. Currently fifth in the Premier League table, Carragher believes City require a rebuild and cast doubt on their hopes of Champions League qualification.
“It’s a mini-crisis for Manchester City. I think it’s reminiscent of Liverpool two years ago.,” the ex-Liverpool defender told Sky Sports.
“I actually think they might have a fight on their hands for the top four.
“I look at Arsenal, Chelsea and the way they are looking right now and I think it will be difficult for Man City to finish above them if they don’t go into the market in January.
“I go back a couple of years to the season Man City won the treble. Liverpool went to the Etihad in April and got beat 4-1. It could have been six or seven. They got absolutely battered and you felt like it was the end of that Jurgen Klopp team.
“But what it was was the end of that midfield, of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. No matter how good a manager you are, you can’t fix that.
“I don’t think Pep can fix City’s midfield now. He needs to buy players there. If he can do it in January, who knows, but he may need to wait to the end of the season.
“Right now, I can see Man City losing another four or five games between now and the end of the season. I look at the energy of Chelsea and Arsenal and I think it will be difficult for City to finish above them.”
