Defending Premier League champions Manchester City are on the back foot ahead of their showdown with Liverpool after the international break, according to BT Sport pundit Chris Sutton.
Pep Guardiola’s side have experienced a lull in form over the past couple of months having dropped three points against Tottenham and two points against both Southampton and Crystal Palace. It's allowed Jurgen Klopp's men to cut the title gap to just one point.
Both sides have one Premier League game and a Champions League quarter-final first leg to play before their Etihad clash on April 10. Pundit Chris Sutton, who won the Premier League with Blackburn in 1995, says Liverpool have the upper hand going into the season run-in.
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"Whatever way you want to look at it, Manchester City have lost momentum of late," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “[Luis] Diaz has come in for Liverpool and hit the ground running. Their frontline is so formidable.
"You look at the number of Premier League games [Roberto] Firmino has started this season and he’s not even into double figures. Diaz has improved Liverpool and given them an extra dimension. Can you say the same for City who have fallen away in the last eight Premier League games and dropped seven points?”
Sutton did not understate the significance of City’s meeting with Liverpool, suggesting the winner will ultimately go on to lift the title. He added: “Liverpool have the momentum. That game is going to be absolutely pivotal.
"If Liverpool win it I think they will go on and win the title. If City win it then they will win the title." City are going for their fourth title in five years, a run only disturbed by Liverpool’s maiden Premier League triumph in 2019/20.
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