King for so long, Manchester City may now have to settle for a position as king-maker. Over the next month or so, it could play a critical role in determining the destination of the Premier League title — and it faces a brutal run before welcoming Liverpool.

Such has been the relentlessness of Pep Guardiola's side over the past few years, Arne Slot will probably still be looking over his shoulder to some extent. Certainly, most of the squad he has inherited at Anfield knows never to write off Man City.

But the reality reflected in the Premier League table is that Liverpool is 12 points clear with a game in hand. If Man City is to play a role in this title race, it will more than likely be as supporting cast rather than main character.

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And amid some green shoots of recovery, we might not be waiting long for Man City to make its impact known. Its next Premier League fixture comes against Arsenal, where Slot will be hoping for a favor that could all but end the title race.

It's set to be a critical weekend of action. Liverpool faces its own tough assignment against high-flying Bournemouth, before Arsenal has its credentials tested by the team that just gunned past Chelsea on its way back into the top four — depending on how they fare, the gap could be three points or nine by Sunday evening (with the Reds still holding a game in hand).

But even before that, Man City faces a potentially tricky task against Club Brugge. A likely cakewalk in previous years, this fixture will require full concentration, with nothing less than a win enough to salvage a place in the Champions League play-off round.

Liverpool supporters will be hoping for a favor from Simon Mignolet. Having said that, it would be no bad thing for Man City's confidence to be high heading into the Arsenal match.

And qualification would really test Man City's squad depth before the meeting with Liverpool on February 23. Guardiola could be facing as many as six matches between now and then.

After Club Brugge and Arsenal, Man City plays Leyton Orient in the FA Cup. But though that may be a chance for a breather, there aren't any more on offer.

Three or four days later, the first leg of a Champions League playoff may beckon. The way the table stands at the minute, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Juventus are all possible opponents, having failed to break into the top eight.

After another short turnaround of half a week or so, Man City will welcome Newcastle in the Premier League, which may be a crucial fixture in both sides' top four ambitions (although fifth may well be enough for a Champions League spot this time around). That will not be easy.

And then it's right back to the Champions League, with an energy-sapping second leg on February 18 or 19. Liverpool will be thankful to have already ensured it will skip this round of action.

So when Liverpool arrives in town, Man City will have come through a draining month or so. A wounded beast is sometimes even more dangerous, but Slot will be hoping that Guardiola's side might deliver two major title boosts before the end of February.