Manchester City’s Struggles Continue: Rúben Dias Fires Back at Criticism After Liverpool Defeat
It’s not often you see Manchester City in a slump like this, but here we are. The defending Premier League champions are in uncharted waters after suffering their fourth straight league defeat, this time at the hands of Liverpool. The 2-0 loss at Anfield on Sunday, courtesy of goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, has left City sitting in fifth place, a staggering 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool.
For a team that has dominated English football in recent years, this is a shocking turn of events. City, who have won six of the last seven Premier League titles, are now winless in their last seven matches across all competitions. This dismal run includes six defeats and a 3-3 draw at home against Feyenoord in the Champions League. To make matters worse, they’ve conceded 19 goals during this stretch. Yes, you read that right—19 goals.
Rúben Dias Snaps Back
After the latest defeat, tensions boiled over during an interview with former Premier League forward Jan Aage Fjortoft for Viaplay TV. Fjortoft asked City defender Rúben Dias how the team planned to take “responsibility” for their poor form. Dias, clearly frustrated, didn’t hold back.
“You know that you’re talking to one of the players of one of the teams in the world that has won the most in recent years?” Dias shot back. “Have a think about that and be sure that we know how to deal with it.”
It’s worth noting that Dias himself was at fault in the lead-up to Liverpool’s second goal, which only adds to the scrutiny he and his teammates are facing. But the Portuguese international wasn’t done. He later added, “I will not talk about the little details but focus on the bigger picture. That is, even though it was a difficult moment, I did see a lot of character and I did see the fans behind us, and that is the only way we are going to go through it.”
What’s Going Wrong for City?
So, what’s behind this sudden collapse? It’s hard to pinpoint just one issue, but the numbers don’t lie. Four straight league losses. Seven games without a win. Nineteen goals conceded. These are not the stats of a team that’s supposed to be challenging for titles.
Here’s a quick breakdown of City’s recent struggles:
- Premier League: Four consecutive defeats, including the 2-0 loss to Liverpool.
- Champions League: A disappointing 3-3 draw at home against Feyenoord.
- Defensive Woes: Nineteen goals conceded in their last seven matches.
Manager Pep Guardiola has built a reputation for turning his teams into well-oiled machines, but even he must be scratching his head at this point. Is it fatigue? Complacency? Injuries? Whatever the reason, City need to find answers—and fast.
Looking Ahead
Despite the doom and gloom, Dias remains optimistic. “This is just part of our legacy,” he said. “We have won so much and still we are where we are, and this happens. We have been able to be versatile, adapt, and keep on moving forward and thinking one game at a time. That is what we need to get back to.”
It’s a bold statement, but one that City fans will hope rings true. The Premier League season is long, and there’s still time for the defending champions to turn things around. But with Liverpool flying high under Arne Slot and other teams like Arsenal and Tottenham also in the mix, the road back to the top won’t be easy.
For now, all eyes will be on City’s next match. Can they stop the bleeding and get back to winning ways? Or will this slump continue to spiral out of control? One thing’s for sure: the pressure is on, and the world is watching.
Originally Written by: Gab & Juls
