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<p>Are the title race contenders falling behind?</p>
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<img alt="The two dominant PL teams of the last decade - Man City meet Liverpool in new circumstances" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/man-coty-liverpool-spotlight-1762450319-182232.png" title="The two dominant PL teams of the last decade - Man City meet Liverpool in new circumstances" />
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<p>In the past, achieving 90 points in the Premier League signified an exceptional season. However, under the management of Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp, Manchester City and Liverpool have made this a regular occurrence. Remarkably, Klopp’s Reds have accumulated over 90 points on two occasions and still did not clinch the title. These two teams have established themselves as the elite in the Premier League over the last decade, elevating both English football and the global football standard. Now, Arsenal has emerged as a competitor, threatening to disrupt the status quo, and could be nine points ahead as early as Sunday when Manchester City faces Liverpool at the Etihad.</p>
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<p>It has been nine seasons since a team other than Manchester City or Liverpool won the Premier League, with Antonio Conte’s Chelsea being the last to do so in the 2016/17 season. A defeat for Manchester City this Sunday could leave them nine points behind Arsenal or see Liverpool ten points off the pace—a significant gap to overcome at this early stage. This clash carries immense weight in determining which of these elite teams will maintain its stronghold at the top.</p>
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<p>Club Comparison</p>
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<p>Premier League</p>
<p>Premier League</p>
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<p>€1.21bn</p>
<p>Market Value</p>
<p>€1.15bn</p>
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<p>First Tier</p>
<p>League Level</p>
<p>First Tier</p>
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<p>€206.80m</p>
<p>Expenditures 25/26</p>
<p>€482.90m</p>
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<p>Pep Guardiola</p>
<p>Managers</p>
<p>Arne Slot</p>
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<p><span>Full Club Comparison</span></p>
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<h2>Manchester City and Liverpool: A Decade of Dominance</h2>
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<p>Reflecting on the past decade, it's no surprise that Manchester City and Liverpool have topped the Premier League points tally. City leads with 847 points followed by Liverpool at 802, while Arsenal trails significantly at 712. This period has been defined by the quality and competitiveness of these two teams. Pep Guardiola praised Klopp as his greatest rival, and Klopp reciprocated with admiration for Guardiola's managerial prowess.</p>
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<img alt="" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/most-pl-points-last-10-years-1762444822-182222.png?lm=1762444840" width="503" />
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<p>One of the most memorable moments in Premier League history occurred on January 3, 2019, when Liverpool visited the Etihad with a seven-point lead. Manchester City silenced the visiting supporters, ending the Reds' 20-match unbeaten start and closing the gap to four points. Eventually, City snatched the title away with 97 points, making it one of the closest races ever. The thrilling encounter featured goals from Sergio Agüero and Leroy Sané, outpacing Roberto Firmino's strike, with John Stones' last-minute clearance being a critical twist in the title chase.</p>
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<p>With Klopp's departure from Anfield last May, many predicted a decline for Liverpool. However, new manager Arne Slot delivered a Premier League title in his debut season. In contrast, Manchester City experienced a downturn, finishing outside the top two for the first time in nearly a decade, albeit still capturing third place and advancing to the FA Cup final. Arsenal's resurgence presents a new challenge, raising the question of which team - City or Liverpool - will be best positioned to compete with the Gunners in the upcoming seasons.</p>
<h2>Which Club is Best Positioned for Continued Success?</h2>
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<p>Manchester City faces a crucial need for rebuilding. Some of the key players who contributed to their dominance have either aged or moved on. Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, and Ederson left during the summer. Bernardo Silva is also showing signs of decline as he nears the end of his career. As they seek to maintain their status, new talent is needed.</p>
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<p>This summer saw the arrival of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Gianluigi Donnarumma—talented players who may require time to adjust to the demands of the Premier League. The core that secured six titles has largely dissipated, and new heroes will need to rise if City aims to replicate their previous success. Fortunately, they still have one of the world's best strikers in Erling Haaland and a top-tier manager in Guardiola.</p>
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<p>On the other hand, Liverpool spent minimally during the summer of 2024, leading some to believe the reconstruction would take shape under Slot's first season. However, it was essentially Klopp's squad that achieved last season's title. This summer marked the true rebuilding phase, as Liverpool invested €482.9 million, shattering the Premier League transfer record twice for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. Although the new recruits have struggled to make an immediate impact, integration may take some time.</p>
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<p>There is no question that Liverpool has enhanced its squad and reduced its average age. If Slot finds the right balance, Liverpool could remain in contention at the top. However, with aging stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, the expectation for new signings to repeat the triumphs of their predecessors might be too ambitious. Both teams, which have defined a footballing era, are now competing to remain relevant, with their battle commencing this Sunday at the Etihad.</p>
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