Nathan Ake shares his thoughts on how Liverpool are playing at the minute

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Manchester City defender Nathan Ake has given his take on Liverpool’s current good form.

The Reds are going well in 2023/24. Top of the Premier League and advancing across the board in the cups, life is good for Jurgen Klopp and co.

However, City are not going away. Despite a slump over November and December, Pep Guardiola’s side are currently five points back on Liverpool. Win their game in hand and they’d close the gap to two points.

Speaking to The Telegraph today, that’s something that Ake recognises, whilst also complimenting Liverpool on their ‘really strong’ form.

“We struggled a bit at one point but the gap is not too big so that motivated us as well,” says the 28-year-old, of his own team’s season.

“[The attitude was] ‘Ok, win these two games [Everton and Sheffield United] and we’re there again and can compete again knowing normally towards the end of the season we start to kick on and hopefully we’re going to do the same. But there’s still a long way to go. Liverpool look really strong. Arsenal as well are still there after two losses [to West Ham and Fulham].”

Ake gives Liverpool credit

Ake’s interview is an interesting look into how City are currently feeling. After some poor results six weeks or so ago, some had been writing them off already.

But you just get the sense that the champions are becoming quietly confident of a fourth Premier League title win in a row.

Arsenal never truly had the look of championship winners, really. Mikel Arteta’s team are a fine side, but they just lack that little bit of something extra.

Meanwhile Liverpool are technically right at the start of a rebuilding phase. They may be well ahead of schedule, but the Reds aren’t the finished article just yet.

As a result, you can understand why City are confident. As Ake mentions, they tend to kick on during the second-half of seasons and another similar burst may overwhelm Liverpool.

They’ve got Kevin De Bruyne back now, with Erling Haaland also over a period of fitness issues.

Conversely, Liverpool players are currently dropping like flies. City will respect the Reds – they’ve pushed them close far too many times not to – but the Manchester side should still be the title favourites.

Liverpool and City going head-to-head and Wolves at Anfield on the final day of the season? Please, let it be third time lucky.