It was a dream weekend for Manchester City as both Liverpool and Arsenal lost in the Premier League and now Bernardo Silva has commented on the dropped points.

Speaking with the media, the Portuguese international said: “It was obviously a very good weekend for us; I’m not going to deny that because personally, I wasn’t expecting both teams to drop points.

“Before, we didn’t depend only on ourselves, so we had to do our job and wait for them to drop points.

READ MORE: Werder Bremen release damning Naby Keita statement after ‘he let his team down’

“Now the situation has changed a bit because we just depend on ourselves because if we do our job properly, we win the Premier League so happy with the results and not going to deny that. But there is a long way to go.”

It’s fair to say that the creative midfielder is not the most liked man at Anfield and these comments won’t help his case.

Let’s just hope Jurgen Klopp’s side can bounce back with a European miracle that can restart the winning momentum that is needed to achieve a successful end to the campaign.

You can watch Silva’s comments (from 1:59) via HaytersTV on YouTube:

EOTK Insider with Jan Age Fjortoft: Why Alonso said no to LFC, who will replace Klopp now? The PL winners will be…

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Liverpool and Arsenal allowed Manchester City to remain top of the league with a shock double defeat this weekend and it was enough for Paul Merson to make a bold title prediction.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the 56-year-old said: “City went to Crystal Palace last week in what was a must-win football match and got the job done – they did their business this weekend and all of a sudden they’ve blown the other two [Arsenal and Liverpool] away.

“They put pressure on them by playing first and they couldn’t handle it, either of them.

READ MORE: (Video) Neville comments on ‘flat’ Liverpool fans after Palace loss

“For me it’s gone. They’ve worked that hard for 32 games to go that extra yard to stop that cross and it’s lazy. It’s lazy and 100% it’s gone.”

To be ruling out Mikel Arteta’s side would surely suggest that Jurgen Klopp’s squad are also out of the running and the pendulum has swung firmly in Pep Guardiola’s favour.

If we can take any hope, it’s that one weekend can change everything but time is running out for the Reds to see momentum come back in our favour before the campaign ends.

You can watch Merson’s comments via Sky Sports Premier League on YouTube:

EOTK Insider with Jan Age Fjortoft: Why Alonso said no to LFC, who will replace Klopp now? The PL winners will be…

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Manchester City are, obviously, a very good footballing side.

How dependent they are on the services of world-class holding midfielder of Rodri, however, is at least open to debate.

The Spanish international has been ever-present for the Sky Blues this term, making his 41st appearance for the club against Real Madrid in the Champions League – a figure that is taking a toll on the footballer.

“I do need a rest,” the former Atletico Madrid midfielder was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

“Let’s see how we speak, how we live the situation. Sometimes it is what it is.

“I need to adjust. It [rest] is something we are planning, yes.”

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READ MORE: What Sky Sports journalist is now saying about Amorim & Liverpool should put fans on red alert

READ MORE: ‘Most complete’: Journalist says manager Liverpool now look set to sign is one of a kind

How well do Manchester City do without Rodri?

Let’s take a look at the four domestic games Rodri missed through suspension, shall we?

Newcastle (A – Carabao Cup): 1-0 defeat

Wolves (A – Premier League): 2-1 defeat

Arsenal (A – Premier League): 1-0 defeat

Aston Villa (A – Premier League): 1-0 defeat

Four games, four defeats for the incumbent English top-flight champions. Admittedly, two wins were secured against Luton Town and Huddersfield in the FA Cup – two fixtures the footballer sat on the bench for.

That’s looking like a pretty stark, not to mention concerning, correlation for Pep Guardiola’s men should Rodri need to take a brief hiatus from the first-team.

With only seven games to go in the league, it could be the death knell for Manchester City’s title hopes.

Where and when will the rest be taken?

Critically, also, for how long will the Cityzens be without their star man?

One might imagine the defensive midfielder will be allowed a rest in a game you’d expect the remaining squad to carry the club over the line.

Saturday’s home clash with Luton Town, you would imagine, represents a particularly ideal opportunity.

They couldn’t drop points at home to Rob Edwards’ men, even without Rodri, could they?

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Could a surprise candidate now replace Klopp? The search after Xabi Alonso, and much more!

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Jamie Carragher brought up the elephant in the room during last night’s Champions League coverage, and Micah Richards didn’t like it!

The two pundits were tasked with predicting the remainder of the ties in this season’s tournament, and both selected Manchester City to go the distance and retain their European title at Wembley on 1 June.

When the ex-Liverpool defender came around to naming the team he thinks will win it out, he declared: “And the winner is, the team with 115 charges, Manchester City!”

Off-camera, Richards could be heard saying ‘wow’ in a deadpan tone which suggested that he wasn’t too impressed with Carragher’s refence to the Etihad Stadium club being charged with 115 alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play and Profit & Sustainability Rules.

Many pundits skirt around that ongoing issue when praising Pep Guardiola’s side to the hilt, and although they may be an excellent team with world-class players, there’s no getting away from the specture of those numerous charges.

Fair play to Carragher for calling it out live on air, even if it were in jocular fashion as a means of winding up his fellow pundit.

You can view Carra’s dig at Man City below, via @CBSSportsGolazo on X (formerly Twitter):

OMG @Carra23 really went there pic.twitter.com/PuQfreMnAQ

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 9, 2024

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Liverpool fans watched our lead at the top of the Premier League table be lost at Old Trafford but we are still very much in a race where one point separates three teams.

Arsenal’s superior goal difference, goals scored and head-to-head records means that they have the upper hand but things are a lot more even between ourselves and Manchester City.

READ MORE: (Video) Lyrics to the new Diaz chant that’s growing in momentum among Liverpool fans

If we tie on goal difference with Pep Guardiola’s side, we are also currently level on goals scored, head-to-head and away goals in head-to-head games which would set up a play-off match.

Given the volume of fixtures at the end of the campaign and possible involvement in Europa League, FA Cup and Champions League finals – it would be interesting to know when we could see such an unlikely event take place.

You can view the full breakdown on how a Premier League play-off could take place via @SkySportsPL on X:

Could the title race be decided by a play-off final!? pic.twitter.com/fe1xiMW9HM

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 8, 2024

EOTK Insider with Jan Age Fjortoft: Why Alonso said no to LFC, who will replace Klopp now? The PL winners will be…

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You wouldn’t think that Manchester City were being investigated for 115 potential breaches of Financial Fair Play, would you?

Mind, the Sky Blues’ accounts suggest they’re making more money from commercial deals than Real Madrid and Liverpool, so what do we know?

Pep Guardiola’s men have now reportedly followed up the signing of Cavan Sullivan with a move for Lucas Paqueta. Foot Mercato’s Santi Aouna reports on X (formerly Twitter) that the incumbent champions have ‘an agreement on personal terms’ with the clubs expected to enter negotiations in the summer.

EXCL: #PL |

Manchester City have an agreement on personal terms (contract duration, salary) with Lucas Paquetá on long term contract

No negotiations or talks taking place between West Ham and Manchester City but the player's agents expect clubs to negotiate a… pic.twitter.com/lxupqcgXbK

— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) April 8, 2024

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READ MORE: BREAKING: Liverpool decide on their next manager as three-year deal tabled – report

READ MORE: Salah and Diaz could now have big say on Liverpool signing Crysencio Summerville

Who are Liverpool interested in?

Jacque Talbot of Football Transfers reported on our interest in Leeds United wide man Crysencio Summerville.

The Dutchman’s potential move to Anfield, however, may be directly tied to the futures of Luis Diaz and Mo Salah.

Our interest in Ruben Amorim’s centre-halves at Sporting Lisbon, Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande, has been long-documented. We’ll be particularly intrigued to see if one of the pairing moves over with the Portuguese head coach, should he take up a role with Liverpool in the summer.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Could a surprise candidate now replace Klopp? The search after Xabi Alonso, and much more!

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Speaking after Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday, Jamie Carragher has pinpointed one notable difference between the Reds’ style of play and that of Manchester City.

For the third time this season, Jurgen Klopp’s side were made to rue their inability to make their territorial dominance against Manchester United count in the final score, and that lack of composure in the final third could prove costly in such a closely contested Premier League title race.

Reflecting on Sky Sports post-match, the ex-Anfield defender said: “The one thing when you’re talking about a difference between Liverpool and Manchester City, is how clinical Manchester City are, and I just think that, with a lot of counterattacks, they play that better pass.

“The teams are different, I get that. Liverpool are more end-to-end, pressing – a bit mad, if you like, whereas it’s more composed with Manchester City.”

Liverpool have outscored City in the Premier League this season (72 to 71), but the underlying statistics suggests that the gap should be much wider. As per FBref, the Reds have the division’s highest xG of 70.7, compared to 62.9 for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Even over the weekend, the respective teams’ composure (or lack thereof) was borne out painfully for those of a Merseyside perspective. We scored twice from an xG of 3.67 against United, while City netted four goals in beating Crystal Palace despite a modest xG of 1.91 (Sofascore).

When the stakes are at their highest, and the margin for error at its slimmest, decision-making in the final third can prove to be the difference between champions and contenders. LFC have room for improvement in that regard; let’s hope we’re not looking upon a similarly rueful narrative once the season ends.

You can view Carragher’s comments below (from 2:46), via Sky Sports Premier League on YouTube:

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Liverpool and Manchester City have already been busy ahead of the summer transfer window it seems.

Fabrizio Romano now reports on X (formerly Twitter) that the Sky Blues have completed a deal for the signing of USA starlet Cavan Sullivan.

American wonderkid Cavan Sullivan to Manchester City, here we go!

Deal agreed as revealed weeks ago and now all the documents being signed with Philadelphia Union. Fee close to $1m + many add-ons.

2009 talent will join #MCFC in the next years.

Exclusive story, confirmed. pic.twitter.com/vFw6ZP0M6X

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 6, 2024

Meanwhile, the Reds are reportedly moving closer to securing a successor for Jurgen Klopp. Pedro Sepulveda claimed that negotiations between the Anfield-based outfit and Ruben Amorim are progressing swiftly.

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READ MORE: Going viral: What Portuguese insider has now heard about Ruben Amorim and Liverpool

READ MORE: Sky Sports pundit can barely believe how good Liverpool player has been in 2024

Ruben Amorim to Liverpool a matter of time?

One league win shouldn’t be all we need to push on for a move for Amorim, it should be stressed.

That said, we would imagine Sepulveda’s latest update to revolve around timings and convenience should it appear likely that Sporting wrap up the title sooner than expected.

Either way, we can’t discount the 39-year-old’s historical achievements in Portugal, from winning over the fanbase (as a former Benfica player) and securing a first title in 19 years!

There’s a bright future for Amorim in the game and the next step may be a switch to Anfield.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Could a surprise candidate now replace Klopp? The search after Xabi Alonso, and much more!

The post ‘Deal agreed’: Fabrizio Romano confirms ‘documents being signed’ ahead of wonderkid transfer – Rival watch appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Football fans and commentators are absolutely sick of having to talk about officials and their apparently increasing levels of incompetence in the Premier League.

Whilst we find shouts of the league being rigged in Manchester City’s favour somewhat tribal, it’s hard to dispute supporters’ criticisms when opposition outfits like Crystal Palace are denied fair decisions.

Josko Gvardiol was spotted bringing down Eberechi Eze in the box, though on-pitch official Paul Tierney evidently deemed the contact harmless!

Understandable, of course, if you can get behind the mental gymnastics it takes to not send off Jeremy Doku for a high boot on Alexis Mac Allister.

You can catch the clip below, courtesy of beINSports:

Blatant penalty, Tierney pointed for a corner and smirked.

Can’t get anymore clear than that, officials favourites Manchester City getting away with something else.

Shock.

pic.twitter.com/joQAb5onAH

— 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗦 (@LFC_Lucas_) April 6, 2024

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Erling Haaland didn’t have the greatest of weekends and it’s led to some criticism for the forward and now a video has added insult to injury.

After being labelled “a League Two player” by Roy Keane for his performance against Arsenal, footage from the forward’s warm-up are comical.

READ MORE: (Video) Laughable angle of Mac Allister’s yellow card shows how ridiculous decision was

The Norwegian forward looked clumsy with the ball and struggled to string two passes together with his teammates.

There’s no doubting that the 23-year-old is one of the best finishers in world football but there’s so many other areas of his game that he can improve in.

You can watch the footage of Haaland warming up via @AbdulAL97 on X:

“Messi robbed Haaland, he didn’t deserve the Ballon D’or” pic.twitter.com/g5h8ZebhEq

— Abdul (@AbdulAL97) March 31, 2024

EOTK Insider with Jan Age Fjortoft: Why Alonso said no to LFC, who will replace Klopp now? The PL winners will be…

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It felt like a huge day in the title race and whilst Manchester City and Arsenal failed to stake their claim to be champions, Liverpool took top spot in the league.

Speaking with Sky Sports after the game, Bernardo Silva was asked for his take on the battle for first place and said that his team are: “Not favourties anymore.”

READ MORE: (Video) Liverpool fans won’t believe Quansah’s pace as he puts on afterburners against Adingra

It was a simple statement but shows how both our competitors would have know that the chance was there for them to prove they’re the best in the league, but neither took it.

Now it’s up to Jurgen Klopp’s side to prove that we’re the best, in what is a crucial final nine matches for everyone.

You can watch Silva’s comments via @SkySportsPL on X:

"Not favourites anymore"

Bernardo Silva says City now has to depend on results from other teams to win the league pic.twitter.com/2j8JbqIfAq

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 31, 2024

EOTK Insider with Jan Age Fjortoft: Why Alonso said no to LFC, who will replace Klopp now? The PL winners will be…

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Liverpool fans experienced the perfect day after we recorded a hard-fought victory over Brighton before watching Manchester City and Arsenal draw, leading to Roy Keane making a title prediction.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the former midfielder said: “I’d go with… I’m going to go with Liverpool I think.”

Before adding:“I need a drink!”

READ MORE: How Liverpool can land Ruben Amorim for just £8.5m from Sporting Lisbon – report

It was clearly something the Irishman wasn’t comfortable with predicting but it does show how the pendulum has swung Jurgen Klopp’s way, with nine games to go.

In simple terms, we need to win our games and the Premier League is ours but it feels like all teams are going to experience speed bumps before the end of the campaign.

You can watch Keane’s comments via @SkySportsPL on X:

"I need a drink"

Roy Keane's reaction to the title race debate pic.twitter.com/J1QHJx53LW

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 31, 2024

EOTK Insider with Jan Age Fjortoft: Why Alonso said no to LFC, who will replace Klopp now? The PL winners will be…

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Jurgen Klopp delivered a brilliant two-word response when asked for his desired result from Manchester City’s clash against Arsenal today.

Liverpool’s latest come-from-behind win has lifted them to the top of the Premier League prior to their two title rivals kicking off at the Etihad Stadium, and the Reds manager was beaming when he spoke to the media after his team’s victory over Brighton.

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After being asked what outcome he wants to see between City and Arsenal, the German quipped: “Both losing”, before breaking into a smile and sharing a laugh with the reporter who put that question to him.

It was clear from Klopp’s post-match demeanour that he was ecstatic at seeing his side taking care of their own business and having the luxury to watch on as their two rivals slugged it out, safe in the knowledge that LFC’s work is done for another few days.

You can view the manager’s two-word quip below, via @SkySportsPL on X:

Jurgen Klopp wants both City and Arsenal to lose today pic.twitter.com/6xn122Coas

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 31, 2024

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In Jurgen Klopp’s farewell season, Liverpool are right in the midst of one of the most compelling title races that the Premier League has seen in many years.

It would certainly be fitting to see the 56-year-old win the title this spring and close out what has been a glorious era for the Reds with a second top-flight crown. Given the narrative surrounding the club, optimism is high among LFC supporters heading into the final 10 fixtures of the campaign.

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Liverpool fans who are confident the Reds can win the Premier League title could consider placing a bet on it. With three bona fide contenders, the odds could be favorable. The key is giving consideration to multiple options and learning more about several betting sites to make sure you choose the right one.

Of course, in such a tight race, LFC aren’t exactly in control of their own destiny. We’ll likely need both Arsenal and Manchester City to drop points to win the Premier League title.

Therefore, the fixtures left on those teams’ schedules are just as important as Liverpool’s remaining matches. With that in mind, let’s take some time to explore how challenging the road to the title might be for the Reds’ two biggest rivals for domestic supremacy.

READ MORE: ‘No, they’re not…’ – Sky pundit shares firm Liverpool verdict for Premier League title race

Arsenal

Today’s match between Arsenal and Man City could be the best thing for Liverpool as one or both of those teams will drop points, giving the Reds an opening to seize first place. Of course, the Gunners have won all eight of their Premier League matches since the start of 2024, so we can’t count on them losing too many games late in the season.

That being said, Mikel Arteta’s side have some challenging fixtures left, especially away from home. In addition to today’s heavyweight showdown, Arsenal’s penultimate match is away at Manchester United. The Gunners will also play Brighton and Wolves away from home, as well as a crucial North London Derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 28. Spurs will surely be looking to play the role of spoiler at their neighbours’ expense, which could end up helping Liverpool.

Arsenal also have home matches late in the season against Aston Villa, Chelsea, and a tricky Bournemouth team. In an ironic twist, the Gunners finish their campaign at home to Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton, who could play a role in potentially handing the Reds the title. That said, we shouldn’t be left reliant on Sean Dyche’s team taking points off Arteta and co.

Of Arsenal’s final 10 matches, six are against teams currently in the top 10 of the table. Five of those six matches are on their travels, too so the Gunners surely have a challenging list of away fixtures left to play. That’s in addition to a midweek London derby against Chelsea, another potential stumbling block for the current league leaders.

READ MORE: Table-topping manager set to rule himself out of the running for Liverpool – journalist

Manchester City

Since suffering a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in October, City have lost just one Premier League match. In fact, the Sky Blues have 10 wins and three draws in their last 13 league games, including the 1-1 draw at Liverpool shortly before the March international break. That should give Pep Guardiola’s squad plenty of confidence heading into today’s showdown against the Gunners.

Immediately after that match, the Cityzens play on Wednesday against an Aston Villa side fighting for a top four spot, before taking on Crystal Palace and Luton Town, both of which Guardiola’s side would fully expect to win. They then take a pause from Premier League action in mid-April for the FA Cup semi-finals.

Even after that clash against Chelsea, Man City’s schedule looks manageable. They are on the road against Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Fulham, along with home matches against Wolves and West Ham United. The fixture at Spurs still needs to be rescheduled and could end up being one of City’s final matches of the season against a team who’ve had their number in recent years.

Just like Arsenal, six of City’s last 10 matches are against teams in the top 10 of the table right now. They both still have to face Aston Villa, Brighton, Luton, Tottenham and Wolves, so their schedules are remarkably similar. The difference is that City will have some of their more challenging matches at home.

What About Liverpool?

Sticking with the theme, the Reds also have to play six of their final 10 matches against teams in the top 10. That includes their last four games of the season against West Ham, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Wolves. A trip to Old Trafford on April 7 to face Manchester United also promises to be a difficult fixture.

On the bright side, the Reds still have manageable games against Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, and Fulham, as well as a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on April 24. Since they no longer have to worry about facing Man City or Arsenal again, one could argue that Liverpool have the most favorable remaining fixtures of the three title contenders.

That alone won’t guarantee a trophy for the Reds, but it does put them in a good position during the last 10 games of what should be a compelling title race.

EOTK Stats Pack: Liverpool v Brighton – Form guide, De Zerbi’s hex over Klopp and MORE

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Jamie Carragher has been discussing the result that he feels would be most beneficial for Liverpool from the Manchester City v Arsenal clash on Sunday.

The Premier League resumes this weekend with the Gunners top of the table on goal difference from Jurgen Klopp’s side, with the champions one point behind that duo as they welcome the north Londoners to the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

The 46-year-old was previewing the match on the Fan Debate for Sky when fellow pundit Gary Neville suggested that a City win on Sunday would send a psychological chill down the spines of the other title contenders.

Carragher replied: “I think even if City lost on Sunday they can still win the league. I think if Arsenal get beat, I don’t see how they can win the league. From a Liverpool perspective, surely you’d want City to lose, but I actually think City can win the league if they get beat. I don’t see Arsenal winning the league if they get beat.

“Then, from a Liverpool point of view, you’re actually fighting against one team. I know the points [difference] wouldn’t be that much, but I just think psychologically it would affect you if City jump above you. It’d be tough for you to come back from that.”

The ideal result for us at the Etihad on Sunday would obviously be a draw which’d see both of our title rivals drop two points.

If there is to be a winner, though, you’d suspect that Arsenal would be the preferred option, given City’s history with embarking on prolonged victorious sequences over the final 10 games of a season.

On the other hand, the Gunners have yet to drop a Premier League point in 2024, and the confidence they’d take from winning away to the champions could make them difficult to stop.

Whatever happens in Manchester, the best result from a Liverpool perspective on Sunday would be a home win against Brighton. It’s no good begging for rivals to drop points unless you take care of your own business.

You can view Carragher’s comments below (from 28:53), via The Overlap on YouTube:

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