Manchester City head to Anfield this weekend facing one of the most demanding fixtures in English football, and former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor believes the Cityzens could be in for a painful afternoon.
With Arsenal setting a relentless pace at the summit of the Premier League, the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side has intensified, and Agbonlahor has warned that Liverpool have the tools to inflict serious damage.
The title landscape would shift further on Saturday if Arsenal produce a commanding performance against Sunderland, a result that would keep Mikel Arteta’s men firmly in control of the race.
The Gunners now sit six points ahead of City and could extend that advantage before their nearest rivals even kick off on Merseyside.
Such a scenario, Agbonlahor argues, would leave City travelling north with little margin for error and huge psychological weight on their shoulders.
City’s campaign has been marked by moments of brilliance mixed with unusual vulnerability. Guardiola’s team remain formidable on their day, yet defensive lapses and a lack of fluency have crept into recent displays.
Liverpool, by contrast, have rediscovered much of their old intensity at Anfield, where the atmosphere regularly unsettles even the most experienced opponents.
Agbonlahor believes those ingredients point towards a difficult evening for the visitors.
Speaking ahead of the weekend, he did not hold back in his assessment of how the match might unfold.
“Arsenal win comfortably. Manchester City could get thumped by Liverpool away at Anfield,” Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT.
His prediction reflects a growing sense that momentum is moving decisively away from the Sky Blues.
After an inconsistent start to the season, Arne Slot’s team have begun to resemble the outfit that pushed City so hard in previous years.
Key players have returned from injury, the midfield has regained balance, and the forwards are clicking once more. Anfield has again become a fortress, and supporters sense an opportunity to shape the direction of the title race.
Agbonlahor pointed to recent performances as evidence that Liverpool are primed for a statement result.
“They were very good against Leeds away, comfortable, and you look at the recent Carabao Cup game against Chelsea, comfortable defensively, with so many players to rotate as well.”
City, meanwhile, have appeared unusually stretched. Injuries to key defenders and the heavy demands of European competition have disrupted Guardiola’s preferred rhythm.
The broader implications of the weekend are significant. A Liverpool victory would not only dent City’s confidence but also drag Slot’s men back into the conversation, leaving them just five points behind the Cityzens.
Conversely, a City win would remind Arsenal that the title is far from settled.
Agbonlahor, however, sees the trajectory only heading one way. “I don’t see a title race. I see Arsenal starting to stretch their lead now.”
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Guardiola may respond by reinforcing midfield, seeking to control possession and quieten the crowd. Yet control alone may not be enough.
City’s defence has occasionally struggled when faced with rapid counter-attacks, and Liverpool’s front three remain among the quickest in the division.
Much could depend on whether the visitors can withstand the opening surge that Anfield traditionally delivers.
For now, anticipation builds around one of football’s great rivalries. The stage is set, the stakes are enormous, and the voices of pundits grow louder.
As Agbonlahor’s stark warning echoes, all eyes turn to Anfield to see whether Manchester City can defy his prediction or whether Liverpool will deliver the blow that reshapes the title race.
