(Pictures by Christopher Furlong, Alex Livesey, Carl Recine & Gualter Fatia/Getty Photographs)
Erik ten Hag as soon as famously claimed that eras can come to an finish while discussing his then rivals Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis.
Regardless of displaying some preliminary promise, and profitable two items of silverware on the way in which, the Dutchman has since parted methods with the Previous Trafford-based outfit.
Eras might certainly come to an finish – and a few eras by no means even take off from the bottom!
Erik ten Hag could also be proper about Manchester Metropolis
If it makes Ten Hag really feel any higher, his prediction might bear some fact for one of many two golf equipment.
“On this second, I like them. I like them each. They play, on this second, actually unbelievable soccer, each Liverpool and Man Metropolis,” the sacked Manchester United boss informed reporters again in 2022.
“However you’ll all the time see that an period can come to an finish and I’m trying ahead to battling with them.
“I’m certain all the opposite golf equipment within the Premier League will need to do this.”
Not Liverpool, in fact, judging by the proof on supply from Arne Slot’s early begin to life at Anfield.
The 46-year-old tactician has defied pre-season expectations to take the Merseyside giants to the highest of the Premier League desk. To not point out straight to the highest of the Champions League desk!
There have now been 14 wins from 16 video games performed following a four-goal romp at Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen’s expense on Tuesday evening.
We’ve achieved it in type too, registering the third most targets (19) and holding one of the best defensive document (six targets conceded) within the English top-flight within the 2024/25 season.
Manchester Metropolis, by comparability, aren’t doing poorly by any stretch of the understanding. Nevertheless, they now discover themselves second-best to Liverpool at house and overseas.
What do the stats say about Man Metropolis’s 2024/25 season? *
Pep Guardiola was in no temper to throw within the towel and echo Bernardo Silva’s post-Sporting CP sentiments over the Etihad-based aspect being in a “darkish place”.
“We knew it could be a tricky season initially. I prefer it. I adore it. I need to face it and carry my gamers,” the Catalan was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
“I gained’t quit, that’s for certain.”
The underlying numbers behind Metropolis’s begin to the season would seem to agree with him.
Manchester Metropolis
xG (anticipated targets to be scored): 2.23 (1st place)
xGA (anticipated targets to be conceded): 0.95 (1st place)
Arsenal
xG: 1.62 (third place)
xGA: 1.36 (eighth place)
Liverpool
xG: 1.61 (4th place)
xGA: 1.2 (third place)
Theoretically, if the Sky Blues can preserve these stats all through the league season, they ought to find yourself as champions for a whopping fifth time in a row.
That’s if Guardiola and his crew can handle to beat their latest hunch of three defeats in a row (in all competitions).
Historical past suggests they’re greater than able to it, however the former Barcelona boss might want to get previous the hurdle of a relatively extra competent Dutch head coach than Erik ten Hag.
* Stats courtesy of Footy Stats on the time of writing (06/11/24)
