Jamie Carragher names Man City's biggest problem in title race with Arsenal and Liverpool

Pundit and ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has outlined Manchester City's biggest challenge in the title race with his former club and Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola's side fell to their fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions when they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday. It's the first time such a run of losses have occurred in the manager's career.

City now sit five points behind Liverpool in the league table, and Arsenal now have a huge opportunity to close the gap when they take on Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. According to Carragher, City's struggles this season have offered the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal a significant glimmer of hope in the title race.

"Manchester City are facing challenges unlike any they have encountered in the Pep Guardiola era," he wrote in his column for The Telegraph. "For the first time since he built his all-conquering team, his title rivals are seeing more than one glimmer of hope.

"City have faced injury problems and glitches in form before. There should be caution before making bold declarations about the champions falling backwards given their history of slow starts before pushing down the pedal in the second half of the season.

"But there are significant differences this time because a series of issues are presenting themselves at once."

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A big issue for City, according to Carragher, is the mounting injuries. Ballon d'Or winner Rodri is the most notable absentee as he suffered an ACL injury and will miss the rest of the season. Last term, the title holders were unbeaten in the 34 games he played, but lost three of the four he missed.

Carragher notes that Guardiola could look to bolster his midfield ranks when the transfer window reopens in January, with Liverpool target Martin Zubimendi an ideal replacement for Rodri. However, getting a deal over the line with any player when the 115 charges loom over them is another story.

"Whether he or anyone else would join City in January is linked to their second problem," Carragher continued. "Any player approached by City between now and the end of the season will want to wait for the outcome of the case into the 115 charges.

"Nobody knows if there will be significant sporting sanctions against the club. Until that has been resolved, a wise agent will tell his client to let the process take its course before putting pen to paper, especially if they have alternative options."