Erling Haaland has issued a stark warning to Manchester City’s Premier League rivals, after they find themselves enduring a rare losing streak.
City’s 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad on Saturday means Pep Guardiola’s side has lost five consecutive games, the worst run of Guardiola’s managerial career. As a result, Liverpool managed to go eight points clear at the top of the table after the Reds secured a 3-2 victory over Southampton on Sunday.
However, despite their recent lack of form, Haaland has called for people to keep calm insisting that he and his City teammates aren’t panicking just yet.
“’Yeah, we lost four in a row. It’s not normal in a club like this. It hurts, it clearly does” Haaland told Sky Sports ahead of the Tottenham fixture. “And the motivation is bigger than ever to go on Saturday and to win the game and to get on the run again.”
City has lifted the Premier League trophy four times in a row and despite their struggles so far this season in all competitions including exiting the Carabao Cup and defeats in the Champions League, Guardiola’s side will still be aiming to secure their fifth consecutive title.
“I think in the end it’s about experience,” says Haaland. “When you win, you get more experience. But I think also in the end you need to keep calm, you need to focus on what you can do something with. Is it to speak about the games that we lost? No, it’s not. It’s about trying to make the team win in the next game. That’s my main focus.”
Haaland’s comments won’t phase Liverpool. Currently they are in the driving seat in the title race and have proven that even when they don’t play their best, Arne Slot’s side can still grind out a win.
The top two come face to face at Anfield next week and the Reds will be eager to keep City at bay and extend their lead even further. City’s record at Anfield will also lean in the Reds’ favour.
In 27 league meetings between the two sides on Merseyside, City have won just twice, drawn eight while Liverpool have won 17. It will be the first time Slot and Guardiola will go head-to-head with both coaches determined to secure the win.
