Harry Redknapp has spelt out why he thinks Premier League champs are so badly in the mire on six game winless run – and it’s not good news for some of their squad
Harry Redknapp reckons some of Manchester City’s big stars have gone on past their best at the top level – and that’s why the Premier League champions are struggling so badly.
City have, incredulously, now gone SIX games without a win ahead of Sunday’s showdown with red-hot leaders Liverpool. The wheels fell off most spectacularly when they let a 3-0 lead slip in the final 15 minutes to only draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in Tuesday’s Champions League tie. They had lost their previous five games, including being walloped 4-0 at home by Tottenham.
Exasperated ex-West Ham and Spurs boss Redknapp asked: “What on earth is going on at Manchester City? No disrespect to Feyenoord, they’re a big club.
“But City should never in a million years be blowing a 3-0 lead at home to them. It just feels like maybe one year too many for some of the lads in this side.
“I thought at times they looked a mile off a young, dynamic Tottenham side last week. City’s record at Anfield is terrible even at their absolute best, so I can’t possibly pick them in this moment. I’m going 2-1 Liverpool.”
In an interview with BetVictor, Redknapp lavished praise on Liverpool who are already eight points clear of City in the title race. Arne Slot has seamlessly taken over from Jurgen Klopp and taken the Reds to a new level, Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Real Madrid also placing them top of the Champions League table.
Ahead of facing City at Anfield, Redknapp said: “This is the big one. I can’t wait for this! I just can’t get over the start that Arne Slot has made. It’s been unbelievable.
“Liverpool were fantastic against Real Madrid the other night, I know Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty but aside from that, it was so comfortable. They’ll go into this game full of confidence and expectant of a win.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola has today been talking about getting the side out of this current rut is arguably as big a challenge as winning 18 trophies for City. He said: “Of course it’s not nice but what do you expect? That everything is red carpet? That everything is nice and easy?”
“It’s easy when you are [winning] 10, 12 games in a row, everyone is fit, everyone is in their prime and everyone is 26, 27, 28. When everything is going well, that is easy. I have to prove myself now.”
And, despite his remarkable record with the club and his standing as one of the greatest managers of all-time, in his press conference today, the ex-Barcelona chief also raised the subject of what might happen if things don’t get better…
Guardiola said: “In long careers – nine, 10, 11 years – you live all the situations. We lost five games, drew the last one when we should have won, but it happens in football sometimes.
“[I have to] accept it. No complaining, no blaming, no pointing. Don’t run away from your responsibility. I have absolutely all on my shoulders. I have it and I want it.
“At this football club you have to win. If you don’t, you will be in trouble. I know the people say ‘why is Pep not in trouble, why is Pep not sacked?’ I have this margin because of what we have done over the last eight years. The people rely on me.
“What’s for sure is I want to stay. But the moment I feel I am not positive for the club another one will come.”
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