In a surprising turn of events, Manchester City’s head coach Pep Guardiola has candidly admitted that this season, "another team" may just be more deserving of the Premier League title. This comes on the heels of City’s disappointing 2-1 defeat to Brighton last Saturday, marking their fourth consecutive loss across all competitions.

City's recent struggles come as a stark contrast to their record-setting achievement of winning four straight Premier League titles last season. The reigning champions are currently grappling with a dip in form that has seen them ousted from the Carabao Cup by Tottenham and suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat by Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.

As City entered November, they faced troubling setbacks, losing to both Bournemouth and Brighton, which has put them in a challenging position five points behind the resurgent Liverpool. Following the latest setback, Guardiola expressed his reflections to BBC Sport, suggesting a possible shift in momentum: “Maybe after seven years winning six Premier Leagues, maybe one year another team deserve it.”

Liverpool, invigorated by their recent 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, has positioned themselves as strong contenders for the title. However, Guardiola's eye is on recovery, as he prepares for the final international break of 2024, seeing it as a chance for his players to reset. “We are not able to do 90 minutes right now,” he remarked on BBC Match of the Day. "We played a really good first half and moments in the second half. We have to clean our heads during the break and hope our players return fit.”

The defending champions' current form seems to be a far cry from the exhilarating performances they are known for, with Guardiola emphasizing the need for immediate changes as they face a grueling schedule ahead.

Meanwhile, Liverpool was not predicted to be in the title race this season, but they now find themselves in a favorable position. Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold remained cautious, stating, “It's still early doors but we have set a good foundation for the rest of the season.” He urged everyone to remember that a strong start does not guarantee silverware, alluding to past seasons where promising beginnings fizzled out.

The upcoming clash between Liverpool and Manchester City on December 1 could prove to be pivotal as Liverpool aims to increase their lead over the once-dominant champions. However, the injury sustained by Alexander-Arnold during the match against Aston Villa could present a significant hurdle for Liverpool’s ambitions.

"You have to wait and see how Trent is doing," Liverpool’s head coach Arne Slot mentioned after the victory. He acknowledged the upcoming challenges, stating, "the season will be tough and the margins are small. We have a slight edge now, but the road ahead is fraught with difficulties."

As the Premier League action heats up, fans are left wondering: Will Pep Guardiola's City bounce back, or is this the season where Liverpool seizes the opportunity to reclaim their crown? The stakes have never been higher!