Manchester City are expecting a tense battle to the wire against Liverpool for the Premier League trophy.
Pep Guardiola and his bosses had anticipated a much stiffer challenge from Jurgen Klopp's side as well as Chelsea this season after the two rivals offered little resistance last year to allow the Blues to lift their third crown in four years. And while the West London club have fallen off the pace - and have much more serious issues to contend with now following the sanctions placed upon owner Roman Abramovich - Liverpool are six points off the top with a game in hand.
A run of seven straight victories has allowed the Merseyside club to make up ground on City, who have lost to Spurs and drawn with Southampton in 2022. With Klopp's team also beating Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final recently, confidence is renewed at Anfield that they can win more trophies this season.
