“It’s game over really” – Liverpool star delivers strong Manchester City verdict in title race prediction

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has admitted that Manchester City have all but won a fifth Premier League title in six seasons.

The Premier League champions extended their advantage at the top of the tree to four points with a crucial 2-1 win against Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, with Ilkay Gundogan scoring twice.

Arsenal face a tricky test away to Newcastle, who remain in the running to qualify for next season’s Champions League after an outstanding campaign so far under Eddie Howe.

City trailed Arsenal in the league table for an overwhelming period of the league campaign but have clicked into top gear since losing 1-0 against Tottenham in February, maintaining a near-perfect league record to overtake the Gunners.

Speaking to Red Bull this week, Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered his verdict on who will come out on top in this season’s title race.

“The league (winner) is obvious now. I’ve said it for a while, if Man City are anywhere close, if they smell blood at Christmas, New Year – it’s game over really,” the England international said.

Having battled out Pep Guardiola’s side many a times himself in the title race since 2018, Alexander-Arnold feels it is Manchester City’s mindset that makes them stand out of the pack when it comes to the title run-in.

The 24-year-old has seen his boyhood club pick up 90+ points twice (2018/19 and 2021/22) in the last few years yet fail to be crowned champions, courtesy of Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, who are targeting a treble of trophies this season.

Alexander-Arnold added: “I think it’s just got to be their (Manchester City’s) mindset. I think it’s just the messaging because they don’t even go behind in games at this point.”

After securing another crucial win in their league run-in at the weekend, City face arguably the biggest test of their season when they face Real Madrid in the opening leg of their Champions League semi-final tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening.