Rafa Benitez has given Liverpool and Arsenal hope of winning the Premier League but admits Manchester City now have a ‘great advantage’ in the title race.
Sunday may be seen as the decisive moment in the title race as both Liverpool and Arsenal were beaten at home to leave Man City two points clear at the top of the table.
Liverpool welcomed struggling Crystal Palace to Anfield and could not respond to Eberechi Eze’s early goal despite creating a number of glorious chances.
Later in the day, Arsenal also dropped crucial points in the title race, losing 2-0 to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa thanks to late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins.
Manchester City are going for a record fourth successive Premier League title as well as back-to-back trebles and Benitez insists they now have a ‘great advantage’ over their two nearest rivals.
But the legendary manager has given Liverpool and Arsenal hope of catching Pep Guardiola’s side, insisting he expects a few more twists and turns in the title race during the run-in.
‘Manchester City are playing with a lot of confidence,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘They have a good squad – they can change three or four players and still win easily.
‘Can I see them making similar mistakes as Liverpool and Arsenal did this weekend? Yes, I can. But at the same time the others could make mistakes so I think City have a great advantage.’
Benitez, who has managed the likes of Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Liverpool, added: ‘I watched both games and Liverpool had some bad luck because they had some great chances.
‘A similar thing happened with Arsenal, they were better in the first half but then they lost control of the game and they were suffering. I think, like Liverpool, being in this position where they cannot lose games or drop points affected them.’
All three Premier League title contenders are in European action during the week. Manchester City face Chelsea in the semi-finals of the FA Cup next weekend while Liverpool and Arsenal resume their domestic campaigns against Fulham and Wolves respectively.
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