Premier League: How Manchester City Went Off The Rails

A great deal has been said about the difference between champions and everyone else is how they pull out wins from what should have been draws.

Remember when the entire Man City team was yelling “No” like it was a horror movie just before Vincent Kompany drilled the winning shot against Leicester last season? That goal gave the reigning champions three points instead of only one.

The difference between Manchester City and the Reds last season? One point. Championship teams get that clutch goal and the win. The differences between City and the Reds over the last three seasons at converting points is the most significant statistic that shows the changing of the guard in the league.

Points conversion rate:

• 2017-18:      Manchester City: +8.91, Liverpool: -4.38
• 2018-19:      Manchester City: +7.36, Liverpool: +13.55
• 2019-20:      Manchester City: -6.21, Liverpool: +22.19

These numbers suggest that in the previous two seasons, Manchester City picked up points even in matches when it was unexpected. This season, they have dropped points that they shouldn’t have.

For Klopp’s men, they have gone from a team that dropped points to a team that finds different ways to win. I noted this earlier this season in a column a few months ago, “The Domino Theory of Pep Guardiola and Manchester City’s Lost Season“.

Manchester City has had an off-year. However, they have the deepest team in the league, and depending on what happens at Newcastle, they are also in the best financial position to improve their squad for next year.

Unless otherwise indicated, all statistics are courtesy of understat.com.