Man City star provides damning assessment of Liverpool title challenge

Bernardo Silva claims Manchester City “gave up too soon” in their fight to retain the Premier League, with Pep Guardiola’s team sitting 22 points behind league leaders Liverpool.

Another close title race was expected this year following last season’s thrilling battle between the two, but City’s poor form has seen them way off the pace.

Silva thinks that in spite of Liverpool’ sensational form, City should have done more to push them all the way.

He told Sky Sports: “I think we got to a point one month ago where we gave up a bit too soon and that’s why we’re twenty-something points behind now. We shouldn’t have done that and it was not on purpose.

“It was in our head, everyone was disappointed to be already ten or 15 points behind and our heads went a bit down. It’s difficult because we’re a team used to winning and last season we won everything in England.

“It hurts a lot because when you start a new season you always want to go for the Premier League. It’s the main competition, it’s the most important competition for the fans. No one expected us to be this far from Liverpool in January or February.”

City have reached the Carabao Cup final and are still in contention in the Champions League and FA Cup, but will not be winning their third Premier League title in a row.

“In the important moments we’ve not been as lucky as in past seasons,” Silva added. “We always concede in the last minute, Liverpool always score in the last minute. These little details in football make the difference.”