Manchester City have now lost four games in a row, and Pep Guardiola has plenty to think about over the international break.
Manchester City lost 2-1 to Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, after taking the lead through Erling Haaland.
City started well but lost their way in the second-half. Brighton brought on Carlos Baleba who shone for the hosts and helped change the game.
Micah Richards suggested that Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis were out of position, and fans were again left wondering how City are going to manage without the irrepressible Rodri.
It is the first time City have ever lost four in a row under Pep Guardiola, and only the second time in the Spaniard’s managerial career that he has lost four in a row.
As a result of City’s poor form, Liverpool have now gone five points clear at the top of the Premier League table – but Andy Robertson is sure of thing.
Andy Robertson is ‘sure’ Man City will come back from mini-crisis
There are several reasons behind Man City’s struggles at the moment.
The biggest is arguably that City are now extremely open and are very vulnerable to counter-attacks.
The team are not pressing as well as a unit anymore, and Rodri’s absence is massive. There is also a bit of an overreliance on Haaland to score the goals right now.
Some are starting to write City off. But Andy Robertson is not that foolish.
The Liverpool full-back said in a new interview with The Times: “They are going through a tough moment with injuries but they have a quality squad and I am sure they will come back.
“They always finish the league strong. Just now we are ahead of them and if we keep winning games we will stay ahead but there is a long time to go. We have to keep the momentum we’ve got just now.”
People should not write Man City off
Yes, City have a number of problems right now, and yes, this four-game losing run is far from ideal.
But people should not be too quick to write City off.
It is going to be very tough to win the Premier League for a fifth consecutive season, but if anyone can mastermind this it’s Guardiola, who just always seems to come up with answers.
The gap to leaders Liverpool is only five points right now, and Arsenal don’t appear to be the same force as last season or the season before.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 28 |
| 2 |  Man CityManchester City | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 13 | 9 | 23 |
| 3 |  ChelseaChelsea | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 19 |
| 4 |  ArsenalArsenal | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 19 |
| 5 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 19 |
| 6 |  BrightonBrighton | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 19 |
Arne Slot has undeniably made a terrific start at Anfield. But a Premier League title race will be uncharted waters for the Dutchman.
City will have players back after the international break, and the club may also make some additions in the January transfer market, with exciting youngster Oscar Bobb also set to return then.
City aren’t in a good way right now. But to write this squad off already is a dangerous game – and something Guardiola will actually quietly hope for.
