Pep Guardiola has handed Liverpool the advantage in the Premier League title chase following a goalless draw between Manchester City and Arsenal. The two other title contenders could not be separated after the Reds had beaten Brighton at Anfield.
In what turned out to be a pivotal moment in the title race, Jürgen Klopp’s team emerged as the primary beneficiary, establishing a two-point lead over Arsenal. Manchester City now trails by an additional point, setting the stage for an intense finale with just nine matches remaining.
The stalemate in the weekend’s biggest showdown left Manchester City grappling to breach Arsenal’s solid defense, ultimately sharing the spoils. This scenario places Liverpool in a prime position, where winning its upcoming fixtures could see Klopp crown his tenure at Anfield with the much-coveted title.
Asked if Liverpool was now the favorite to lift the title, Guardiola admitted: “Yes. First is always favorite, second is Arsenal and we’re third. It’s not in our hands. Aston Villa is the next game, so try to win it. It’s simple.
“We take the point. We tried. We didn’t create much, they didn’t create much. They defended very compactly and had a lot of quality and physicality. As a team, we’re still there.
“We could have more in some aspects, but I’m satisfied. I told the team ‘don’t be sad’. You have to give credit to Arsenal for the things they do. Maybe we miss a little it in the final third but it is not easy.
