A Pivotal Super Bowl Sunday

Sunday's blockbuster game between Liverpool and Manchester City had all the drama. With 80 minutes gone at Anfield, the title race was over. Arsenal looked to be slipping from Manchester City's grasp once and for all. By the final whistle, the title race was as alive as ever. Here are the implications of City's comeback win has for the title and UCL races, as well as the two players that can turn the tide.

Let's start with Liverpool. After working their way to 4th place, Liverpool have quickly fallen to 6th. Sunday's loss left them 5 points behind Manchester United in 4th and 4 points behind Chelsea in 5th. They were able to cut those deficits to 3 points and 2 points on Wednesday. They may only need to overtake one of those teams with the Premier League in poll position to get a 5th UCL place. They're right in the race, but the problem is they're so inconsistent. Defensive fragility is a reoccurring issue for them and it's hard to see them changing their ways. The Reds have dropped 7 points from winning positions in the 2nd half since the new year. I don't see any reason they won't continue to be vulnerable late in games. That puts their UCL status for next year in heavy doubt.

The reason you can't write them off yet is the star power. They're unbalanced and inconsistent, but they still boast a weaponry of Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and Mohamed Salah. Ekitike and Wirtz have found some form. If Salah finds it too, they'll be just fine. The Egyptian has had a hard year, his worst for the club. He would've wanted to challenge for the title but now the UCL race might hinge on him. Slot needs him to deliver like he did so many times last year.

Now, to Manchester City. Before this week's midweek fixtures, the last five matches had yielded no change in the title race. The Gunners and the Cityzens took 8 points out of 15. They'll both be rueing their missed opportunities to change the gap. City should just be grateful they didn't crack at Anfield. That could have been the final blow. Now they can shift the pressure back onto Arsenal. Playing second has such a big effect in the title race. Knowing your challenger won puts that much more pressure on you. Arsenal's draw against Brentford today came after watching City win and cut the gap to 3 points. Arsenal play Wolves next Wednesday and after that, City will play first in 3 of the next 4 matchweeks. Arsenal's frenetic nature could come out if City can win those earlier matches. With the momentum picked up at Anfield, I back them to go on a good run. They'll be big favorites in all of those games except maybe Newcastle's visit to the Ethidad. It's important that they win those matches to put pressure on Arsenal. City need to wage a mental battle leading up to their face-to-face battles in March.

Manchester City can't win the league without the big man. Not Haaland, the big man with gloves. Gigi Donnarunma rescued a point against Spurs and two more against Liverpool with his fantastic stop to prevent an Alexis Mac Allisster goal. He makes saves that no one else can make. City suffer from similar defensive fragility to Liverpool. They lapse much too often. They can play great football, but they always seem to concede chances to flip the script. Alisson was massive in Liverpool's title win last year. He made several 1v1 saves in 1-goal games. Donnarumma will have to make similar saves if City want a chance. I think the title may come down to an iconic goalkeeping moment from the Italian.