CITY’S RIVALS HAVE SAY ON COSTLY DEFEATS

BOTH Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta attempted to rewrite the Premier League title race narrative after costly defeats for their sides on Sunday.

Having seen City beat Luton comfortably on Saturday to move top of the table, Liverpool and Arsenal had a chance to restore their places above City, before next weekend’s schedule that sees the Blues in FA Cup action.

However, Liverpool endured a disappointing defeat to Crystal Palace while Arsenal were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa.

Klopp and Arteta both admitted their sides only have themselves to blame, although both suggested it had always been a matter of time before City returned to the top of the league.

“That’s the reality now. It’s been the same for a few months. We knew this moment could come,” Arteta said, having led City for months. “And now it’s about reacting and keeping believing and doing what we can do.

“Now the moment is to stand up and be counted. When you win and win and win for four months it’s very simple to do it. The moment to do it is now.”

Similarly, Klopp admitted that his side are not playing like title contenders at present. “What does it mean for the title race – I am not dumb, I know that. The answer is pretty easy: if we play like we did in the first half, why should we win the league?”

Klopp also said he felt that Liverpool’s league draw at United, which followed a dramatic defeat at Old Trafford in the cup, has had a negative impact on their form.

“We lost the game in the cup and it was like a catastrophe because we were that good and lost,” he added.