Raheem Sterling has highlighted the importance of Manchester City profiting from ‘brilliant’ Liverpool dropping points against Arsenal on Saturday.
The 2017/2018 champions moved to the top of the Premier League table thanks to a 6-1 win over Southampton a day after the Reds were held to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates.
Sterling himself played an instrumental role as he scored twice and registered two assists having recently verbally agreed to a new long-term deal at the Etihad.
With City and Liverpool having emerged alongside Chelsea as leading title contenders, Sterling was understandably pleased to gain a lead on his former employers.
“You can get complacent at home but started well and carried on throughout the game,” he told Match of the Day.
“These are the games we need to capitalise on. The top teams drop points, we need to win. Big week this week. We go again in the Champions League.”
“After Liverpool dropped points it was important that we won today. They are a brilliant side.”
Considering the barrage of abuse he has had to put up with from the media in recent years, it’s hard not to root for Sterling as he silences his critics on the pitch.
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Given Arsenal’s recent unbeaten run and an admittedly lacklustre Liverpool performance, a point away to Unai Emery’s side was far from a bad result.
The Reds ticked off another tough fixture on the road and were handed yet another refreshing reminder of their monumental progression as a defensive unit.
Next weekend’s clash at home to Fulham beckons as a favourable opportunity to close the gap on City, who host Manchester United in their first derby meeting of the season.
Though the performances aren’t quite at the level Jurgen Klopp will want them to be, Liverpool’s unbeaten league record after 11 games cannot be praised enough.