Yet City can still have a big say in matters and they host current leaders Liverpool on Sunday in a headline encounter that has implications for the title picture and the champions’ own relatively modest top-four aims.
Pep Guardiola accepts Manchester City are not challenging Liverpool for the title this season but is convinced they can still match them on their day.
Manager Guardiola will also be hoping to see a reaction from his side after their latest Champions League quest ended in a bruising defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday.
After winning the Premier League for the past four years, City find themselves in an unfamiliar position outside the race for top spot this season.
Liverpool, under previous manager Jurgen Klopp, were one of Guardiola’s chief title rivals.
