Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Pep Guardiola has "had a poor season" by his standards and his team are "not in a good place" heading into Sunday's Premier League clash with leaders Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
The Citizens are reeling from their 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League playoff on Wednesday, losing 6-3 on aggregate and crashing out before the last 16 for the first time under Guardiola.
It has been well-documented that Man City have struggled throughout this season and their latest loss at the Santiago Bernabeu represents their 13th across all competitions, the most ever by a Guardiola side in a single campaign in his managerial career.
Reflecting on City's "chastening experience" against Real Madrid, McInerney told Sports Mole: "I'm still absorbing it, but ultimately, I didn't expect us to go through really. Real Madrid are obviously a much better side than City these days. I guess the thing that stung as a City fan is it felt painful.
"It was a mild humiliation at the hands of Real and they can do that to anyone because they're Real Madrid and that forward line is blessed with mercurial talent.
"But still, I've been so accustomed over the past 10 years or so to watch Man City at least - obviously they applied themselves - but at least show some fight if that makes sense. There was definitely a resignation from that City side very early on.
'Real Madrid defeat was a chastening experience'
"The (first) goal, there's mistakes in it, but it was still a moment of brilliance, a beautiful pinpoint pass and a fantastic finish (from Kylian Mbappe). We gave them the opportunity to do that with poor pressing and a high line, and bad positioning maybe from Ederson.
"There's no real reaction to it from City, there was a resignation immediately. The [John] Stones injury compounded it, of course. We saw City just go through the gears really and it was quite a chastening experience seeing how far we've just fallen.
"It has to happen, it happens to everyone at some point. You can't stay at the top forever, but it was a very difficult game to watch as a City fan. I think the fact we've been so good for such a long time, that really holds a mirror up to that performance to show just where we were and where we are now."
City's focus now shifts to the Premier League and after winning an unprecedented four titles in a row, they now find themselves a staggering 17 points behind leaders Liverpool and are battling to secure a top-four finish having won only 13 of their 25 matches (D5 L7).
Discussing where this City side are at ahead of Sunday's clash with Liverpool, McInerney said: "I think Pep's had a poor season actually, I love the man immensely - if I had an animal I'd probably call it Pep, I don't have pets, but that's how much I love the guy!
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Why has Guardiola "had a poor season" at Man City?
"But he's had a poor season where he's probably been a little bit too loyal to the players, understandably for what it's worth, but loyal to the players that got him and got City to where they are.
"I think the downside of that is some of these guys can't really run anymore, and ultimately the Premier League - as a result probably of the way that Pep's made the Premier League - teams run more, they have to, because if teams keep the ball better, it's the only way to stop that.
"We're at a point now where, unfortunately, many players have sort of hit their peak, they've gone past it, and probably don't quite have the same fight anymore, naturally.
"Some of these players (against Real Madrid) - even though some of the new guys were there too - some of these players, they showed there's [not enough left] in the tank. That was Bernardo [Silva], [Ilkay] Gundogan, John Stones couldn't stay fit again, and Ederson once again with some mistakes this season.
"All the positive momentum that City clawed back with Newcastle (4-0 win last weekend), I think it's just been sapped away again (after losing to Real Madrid)."
McInerney added: "I expect a reaction (against Liverpool). There has to be for pride reasons, but I don't know if it's possible, because of the injury situation... I think we'll probably change things up a little bit. I think there'll be some changes, but I don't think we're in a good place.
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'There's never a better opportunity for Liverpool to resoundingly beat City'
"I'm never confident against Liverpool because Liverpool are great, but I'm always much more hopeful at the Etihad. I feel like we've had such a good reputation against them over the years, but this time, Liverpool will go into this and they should feel that they can get something here.
"We're not in a good place. I'm hoping the Newcastle game is something to grab onto, but the Madrid one was a horrific experience.
"Liverpool will come into this game feeling more confident than they probably have in the best part of a decade going to the Etihad, and with those things combined, it could be a tough day (for City) because, with all due respect, much worse teams than Liverpool have already given us a tough time this season."
Asked if Liverpool are the favourites to win against Man City, McInerney said: "Absolutely. I mean Liverpool should be. The Etihad does obviously skew that likelihood massively, but there's never been a better opportunity for Liverpool, not just to beat City, but to resoundingly beat City."
Man City suffered a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season, but they are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League encounters with the Merseyside giants at the Etihad Stadium.
Press play on the video at the top of this article to hear the full discussion between McInerney and Liverpool expert David Lynch ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash.
Oliver Thomas
