Man City: From the Liverpool charge to the injuries, here's what's gone wrong for them

Manchester City's Premier League title defence appears over before Christmas, with Pep Guardiola's men travelling to Arsenal on Sunday alrey 14 points rift of runaway leers Liverpool. City have me extraordinary routine, winning five of past six major domestic trophies in England but have dropped as many points in 16 league games this season as in whole of last season. So what has gone wrong for a hugely talented and expensive squ under tutel of one of football's greatest coaches? 

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Injuries

Even a squ as rich in resources as City's is t immune to injuries. Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte suffered long-term knee injuries in first few weeks of season, with Laporte's absence leaving a gaping hole at heart of City's defence. Fernandinho has h to deputise out of position at centre-back, meaning Brazilian's influence at base of City's midfield has also been missed. Manchester United cut ir local rivals apart on counter-attack in winning derby at Etih 2-1 last weekend, while rwich, Wolves and Liverpool have also exposed City's frailties in defensive transition to inflict defeat on champions. Benjamin Mendy's lack of fitness and an injury to Oleksandr Zinchenko has also led to a rotating cast at left-back, with ne of options available to Guardiola inspiring much confidence.

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B planning

Even before Laporte's injury, City appeared short at centre-back following loss of captain Vincent Kompany, who left at end of last season to take charge of Anderlecht. Kompany's final years at club were ravd by injury, but he played a vital role late last season as City won ir final 14 league games to pip Liverpool to title by one point. Belgian was an inspirational leer and his departure left City without a figurehe when things get tough. Similarly, issues at left-back were t unforeseen. Mendy has been blighted by injuries since he joined club but City inste strengned at right-back over summer with signing of Joao Cancelo.

Fourth-season fatigue

Guardiola is into his fourth season at City, matching his longest spell at one club. Catalan quit Barcelona after four seasons from 2008 to 2012 that left him burned out. In explaining his decision, he suggested after winning 14 trophies in four seasons at Camp u that Barcelona players needed a new mess. Guardiola's intense demands can also have a physically and mentally draining effect on players.

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End of an era

A core of players that have been constants in City's most successful era but Kompany's departure signalled a changing of guard. David Silva, 33, Sergio Aguero, 31, and Fernandinho, 34, have also been hugely influential, but are all beyond ir prime. Silva has alrey anunced he will leave club at end of season. Aguero, City's all-time leing goalscorer, is out of contract in 18 months' time.

City have put a succession plan in place for Fernandinho by signing Rodri for a club-record USD 84 million in July. However, 23-year-old Spanish international has struggled as he justs to rigours of Premier League. re is a local clamour for Phil Foden to be long-term replacement for Silva and Gabriel Jesus has shared striker's role with Aguero under Guardiola. But Kompany's departure shows that transition will t be an easy one.

Liverpool charge

City have helped create a monster y are w struggling to compete with. Guardiola's men re-wrote history books by registering a century of points for first time in English top-flight in 2017/18 and backed that up with 98 last season. Liverpool's tally of 97 was third-highest ever and yet still t eugh to end wait for a first league title on Merseyside since 1989/90. In most or seasons, City's return of 32 points from ir opening 16 games would at least be eugh to keep m in running. However, y have raised bar and Liverpool have risen to challenge. A relentless run of 15 wins and one draw from European champions has seen m disappear over horizon and surely out of reach.

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