Premier League all-time leading goalscorer Alan Shearer has raised alarms over Manchester City’s form after their shocking 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad. This loss marked City’s fifth consecutive defeat in all competitions, a streak that has left fans and analysts questioning the reigning champions.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer didn’t hold back in his assessment of Pep Guardiola’s side:
“There are so many things [wrong]. It’s not just not having Rodri, it’s defenders not defending properly in one v one situations, they haven’t got the press right. They are not right all over the park. It’s not good enough, players not tracking their runners.”
Shearer pointed out a lack of defensive cohesion and an inability to press effectively as major flaws, adding that City appear “too open” and “far too easy to play against” in their current state.
What to Expect 🙂
A Crucial Trip to Anfield
With City now trailing Liverpool by eight points, their trip to Anfield next weekend has become pivotal. Shearer believes this match could have significant implications for the title race.
“It’s a massive game. For the first time I would have real concerns about Manchester City. Over the past couple of weeks, I would have said ‘fine, no problem, they’ve been in similar situations where they have lost games, they’ll bounce back,’ but I’m seeing too many worrying signs.”
Shearer further stressed that a loss at Anfield could put City’s title defense in serious jeopardy:
“If Liverpool were to beat Man City next week, I think they’d find it really, really tough [to win the league].”
With issues across the pitch and a must-win game on the horizon, Guardiola and his squad are under intense pressure to find solutions fast. Will City bounce back as they have in the past, or are Shearer’s concerns a sign of deeper problems? The clash at Anfield might provide the answer.
