Arne Slot Expects Manchester City To Compete For Premier League Title Next Season After Current Struggles

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Arne Slot anticipates Manchester City will return to compete for the Premier League title next season, following their unexpected challenges this year. Liverpool currently lead the league by eight points ahead of their match against Pep Guardiola's team, who sit fourth and trail the leaders by 17 points. Despite a disappointing season, City still have a chance to qualify for the Champions League.

City's form has improved since Christmas, with only Liverpool and Arsenal earning more Premier League points than them (17 W5 D2 L1). Slot views this resurgence as a positive indicator for City's future prospects. "Everybody is surprised that City is not up there because they've been up there for so many years," Slot told Sky Sports.

Slot believes City's recent performances suggest they are on the rise again. He noted their strong showing against Newcastle last weekend and mentioned new player acquisitions as signs of improvement. "I think everybody knows that this probably is a one-time season that they are not up there," he added.

Liverpool aim to achieve a Premier League double over City for just the third time, having previously done so in 2005-06 and 2015-16. However, their record at the Etihad Stadium is challenging, with only one win in their last 15 visits. Despite this, Virgil van Dijk remains cautious of City's capabilities.

Van Dijk acknowledges City's threat despite their struggles this season. "One hundred per cent," he said when asked if City remain a threat. He highlighted City's recent 4-0 victory over Newcastle United and their history of winning four consecutive titles as reasons for respecting them.

City's Season Challenges

This season has been tough for City due to injuries and dropped points during crucial periods. Slot noted that they started well but faced difficulties later on. "They had one or two difficult months," he said, adding that the league's competitiveness makes every game challenging if a team isn't performing at its best.

Slot expects City to bounce back next season, given their strong management and recent improvements. "You can already see them going up," he stated confidently about City's potential resurgence in the upcoming campaign.

Liverpool will approach Sunday's match with determination, aiming to overcome their poor record at the Etihad Stadium. Van Dijk emphasised the importance of bravery and support from fans as they strive to secure victory and move closer to their goals.