Manchester City

Manchester City: Jack Pitt-Brooke discusses how City can close the gap on Liverpool

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Image for Manchester City: Jack Pitt-Brooke discusses how City can close the gap on Liverpool

Speaking recently on the Why Always Us? podcast, The Athletic journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke discussed the differences between Manchester City and Liverpool this season, and whether he believed City could close the gap next term.

Following Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea last week, Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions following a 30-year wait.

Liverpool’s title ends Manchester City’s two-year reign as English champions, and in rather comprehensive fashion – as Liverpool are currently 23 points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side.

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Their domestic success this term also follows on from their Champions League triumph last season, as well as their Club World Cup victory – meaning that, at present, Liverpool are champions of England, Europe and the world.

Pitt-Brooke discussed how he thought City could close the gap on their Premier League rivals.

He said: “I think a lot of it comes down to motivation and hunger, to be honest. City have obviously won the Premier League twice in a row. I think anyone who’s watched City play this year can tell they’re not playing with the same intensity, whereas Liverpool – having been the best runners up in history last year – have been absolutely desperate to get it [the Premier League].

“So I think a lot of it comes down to mental approach, a bit of it I think comes down to finishing; we know that on xG [expected goals], City are underperforming relative to their xG and Liverpool are over-performing relative to their xG.

“And then I suppose gaps in the squad – failing to recruit another centre-back has been something which has haunted City all season. So I think there are still a few reasons to believe that next year, things will revert to the mean a bit. Next year, I would expect City to be at least 10-15 points better off the bat and I would expect Liverpool to revert to the mean as well, so I think it will be much closer next year. I don’t think City are permanently 23-plus points worse than Liverpool.”

TIF Thoughts…

It would appear that Pitt-Brooke believes there are a number of reasons and possibilities as to why and how City can catch up with Liverpool next season, ranging from recruitment, luck to motivation.

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Only time will tell whether or not City can indeed go on to reclaim their Premier League title next term.

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Football Writer for Snack Media