Title fights: from Mahrez’s spot of bother to Arteta’s ultra-caution
As Liverpool and Manchester City lock horns, how do matches between title contenders affect which club emerges as champions?
In the fierce battle for the Premier League title, encounters between the title contenders often serve as defining moments, with the results often shaping the eventual outcome of the race. Across recent seasons, matches between Manchester City and Liverpool, as well as between City and Arsenal, have consistently played pivotal roles in determining which team ultimately claims the trophy.
2018-19: A season of razor-thin margins
The 2018-19 season was defined by a remarkable title race between Manchester City and Liverpool, with the two teams finishing just one point apart. Their meetings were crucial in shaping the outcome of the campaign. The first encounter at Anfield in October ended in a goalless draw, a scrappy affair highlighted by Riyad Mahrez’s missed penalty for City. The return fixture in January at the Etihad, however, was a thrilling contest that embodied the fine margins of title challenges. Despite wave after wave of Liverpool pressure, including a dramatic moment where John Stones cleared a ball off the line by just 11.7mm, City managed to secure a vital 2-1 victory.
2019-20: Liverpool’s dominant march to glory
In contrast, the following season saw Liverpool’s dominance. After coming so close the previous year, Liverpool began the 2019-20 season with relentless focus, winning 10 of their first 11 games. In November, City visited Anfield, needing a win to stay in the title race. However, Jurgen Klopp’s side cruised to a 3-1 victory, with Fabinho’s stunning long-range strike setting the tone for a comprehensive performance. By the time Liverpool lost a league game to Watford in February they had built up a massive 22-point lead over City, effectively clinching the title. Although City would go on to beat Liverpool 4-0 in July in a match that had little bearing on the outcome, the result served to stop Liverpool from surpassing their 100-point tally, a record set by City two years earlier.
2021-22: A return to intense competition
The 2021-22 season saw another close contest between City and Liverpool, although City ultimately prevailed with a 93-point finish, just one ahead of Liverpool. The two teams played out two thrilling 2-2 draws, with both sides showing their attacking quality. In October, Liverpool twice took the lead at Anfield, only for City to show resilience and level the score. The return fixture in April was similarly intense, with Liverpool again denying City the win that could have put them in control. Despite their best efforts, City held on to win the title by a solitary point, with Liverpool’s failure to secure the three points in these encounters proving costly in the end.
2022-23: Arsenal’s promising but faltering challenge
The 2022-23 season introduced Arsenal as serious title contenders, with Mikel Arteta’s side leading the league for a significant portion of the campaign. By mid-January, Arsenal had an eight-point lead over City, and their two crucial encounters with the champions in February and April would prove decisive. At the Emirates, City capitalized on Arsenal’s defensive lapses, securing a 3-1 victory that swung momentum in their favor. In April, City dominated the return fixture with a 4-1 win, a performance that ultimately crushed Arsenal’s title hopes.
2023-24: Arteta’s cautious approach and City’s resilience
The 2023-24 season saw a shift in approach from Arteta, who was determined to be more defensively solid in his encounters with City. In October, Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 win over City at the Emirates, thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal. This victory marked Arsenal’s first league win over City since 2015 and gave them a valuable advantage in the title race. However, when the two teams met again in March, the match ended in a goalless draw. Despite remaining ahead of City by a point after the match, Arsenal’s cautious approach at the Etihad and their subsequent stumbles in the final weeks of the season allowed City to surge ahead. City would go on to win the title by two points, with Arsenal’s failure to secure more points against them proving critical.
Conclusion
The encounters between title contenders are often pivotal, and the results of these games can have lasting effects on the course of the season. Whether it’s Liverpool’s near-miss in 2018-19, City’s dominant march in 2019-20, or Arsenal’s faltering challenge in 2022-23, the fine margins of these games are central to the narrative of the Premier League title race.
