Man City told they should be worried about finishing in the top four - let alone retaining Premier League title - as Jamie Carragher takes aim after damaging defeat at Liverpool

Pep Guardiola has overseen a historic run of four-successive title triumphs, and six in the last seven campaigns, but is currently enduring the worst run of his distinguished managerial career – with City suffering six defeats across a seven-game winless stretch.

The reigning champions of England are now 11 points off the pace in the 2024-25 title race and Carragher believes there is no way back for them from here. The former Liverpool defender told Sky Sports after seeing City suffer a 2-0 defeat at Anfield in their latest outing: “This season, Manchester City will not be winning the Premier League. I don’t think there is any way back.

“It is almost a mini-crisis for Manchester City, and I think it’s reminiscent of Liverpool two years ago. I actually think Man City might have a fight on the hands for the top four. I actually look at Arsenal and Chelsea and the way they’re looking right now… I think it may be difficult for Man City to finish above them if they don’t go into the market in January.”

City will likely have money to spend in the next transfer window, with Carragher adding on the need for reinforcements to be welcomed through the doors at Etihad Stadium: “He [Guardiola] needs to buy players. If he can do that in January who knows, but he may need to wait until the end of the season to fix it. I look at the energy Arsenal have got and the energy the young players at Chelsea have got and I think it might be difficult for City to finish above them.”

While City contend with uncharacteristic struggles on the field, they are still fighting an 115-charge Financial Fair Play (FFP) case off it that may yet deliver more misery to the blue half of Manchester – with there suggestions that they could be stung with points penalties, a transfer embargo or even demotion out of the Premier League.