Man City are a ‘shadow’ of themselves and were ‘absolutely battered’ by Liverpool, claims Micah Richards – as Jamie Carragher declares champions might struggle to finish in the top FOUR

Micah Richards believes Manchester City are letting Pep Guardiola down and are a ‘shadow’ of themselves after being ‘absolutely battered’ by Liverpool. 

And fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher claims the Premier League champions are not only out of the title race but may struggle to make the top four after their harrowing 2-0 defeat at Anfield. 

Arne Slot‘s side secured a victory which puts them nine points clear at the top of the table – and 11 points ahead of City – through strikes from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah. 

And Richards, who won the title with City in 2012, slammed his former side’s performance declaring them lucky to have only lost by two goals. 

 ‘In first half, it could have been three or four nil to Liverpool,’ he told Sky Sports after the match. 

‘They’re a shadow of their best. I said he (Guardiola) is looking for reaction. He didn’t get that today. 

Micah Richards says the champions were lucky to not lose by a bigger margin against Liverpool

Cody Gakpo applies a simple finish to give the home side the lead in only the 12th minute

‘He’s got to find a way to to get back to what he does best. I think some of the players are letting him down today.

‘I mentioned before the game about defensively, not good enough. In midfield, they’re getting overrun. And up front, they’ve got nothing at this moment in time. In previous games, you can say they’ve played well and dominated the ball, but if you’re being honest, Liverpool absolutely battered them.’

Manchester City have not failed to qualify for the Champions League since 2010 and have reached the quarter-finals of the competition in each of the last seven seasons. But, the 2023 European champions are now winless in seven matches and Carragher believes they have their work cut out to make the top four. 

‘I actually think Man City might have a fight on their hands for top four,’ he told Sky Sports.  

‘I look at Arsenal and Chelsea and the way they’re looking right now, I think it’d be difficult for Man City to finish above them if they don’t go into the market in January.

‘Right now, I could see Man City maybe losing another four or five games between now and the end of the season. I look at the energy Arsenal have got, the energy and the young players Chelsea got, I think it might be difficult for City to finish above either.

‘I think it is almost a mini crisis for Manchester City, and I think it’s reminiscent of Liverpool two years ago.’

Guardiola came under fire from Liverpool fans towards the end of the match as they chanted ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ at the City boss. Guardiola responded by raising six fingers to commemorate the number of Premier League titles he has won.

Jamie Carragher backed Pep Guardiola despite declaring City out of the Premier League title race

It was a tough afternoon at Anfield for the Premier League’s top scorer Erling Haaland (right) 

Phil Foden (front) cuts a forlorn figure after watching Mo Salah’s penalty put Liverpool 2-0 ahead

And despite the crisis, both Carragher and Richards believe Guardiola deserves the chance to put things right and that the Spaniard is not done yet. 

‘He’s putting six foot fingers up and rightly so,’ said Carragher. 

‘Sometimes you need to lose to realise what you’ve done. I think he’s saying “Don’t take for granted what we’ve done”. Maybe he was sending a message to the hierarchy above him (or) to his own supporters there.’

Which Richards added: ‘No, I wouldn’t say it’s the end of an era. I think we’re going for a difficult period.’