Expert Premier League predictions from Mark Langdon: Manchester City to stay top

Jurgen Klopp's decision to sign a new contract at Liverpool until 2026 is not good news for supporters of other clubs who were hoping to get more chances to win silverware in the coming years.

The job he has done has been nothing short of remarkable at Anfield, although we perhaps should have expected nothing less given the miracles Klopp has performed in the past.

He took Mainz up to the Bundesliga and then moved to Dortmund, who were a mess when he arrived, prompting Klopp to keep his ambitions in check. "I just want to run out on to a European pitch on a Thursday night, instead of sitting on the couch and watching it at home," he said during season two of the Dortmund rebuild.

They eventually did much more, winning back-to-back titles, claiming a double in 2012 and reaching the Champions League final in 2013, when only Bayern Munich proved too strong.

Bayern have won 11 of the other titles in the past 13 years and the fact Klopp took them on and beat them twice suggested he was special, but he has taken Liverpool on to even greater heights.

Klopp's first game in charge came in October 2015 was at Tottenham with a starting 11 consisting of Mignolet; Clyne, Sakho, Skrtel, Moreno; Lucas, Can; Milner, Coutinho, Lallana; Origi. The bench was Bogdan, Kolo Toure, Randall, Allen, Ibe, Teixeira and Sinclair.

Liverpool have been transformed to the extent the 2-0 Champions League win over Villarreal on Wednesday was almost taken for granted.

Much of the focus surrounded Villarreal's lack of attacking intent, but they were simply overwhelmed and as boss Unai Emery said afterwards, it wasn't their gameplan to offer so little. They were just unable to get out against Klopp's pressing machine.

The whole club is in sync and virtually every transfer seems to hit the target.

Luis Diaz was born to play for Klopp's Reds, 22-year-old Ibrahima Konate is getting better with every game and Thiago Alcantara's calming presence in midfield solved a previous issue if you can remember back to when opponents used to be able to sit deep to successfully frustrate Liverpool.

It still seems unlikely that they will claim all four trophies they are fighting for but it would be ridiculously harsh should Liverpool end up with only the League Cup. City may still beat them to the Premier League and Champions League and Chelsea on their day could yet cause an upset in the FA Cup final.

That should not detract from the way Liverpool have grown as this season has progressed, evolving tactically with attacker Sadio Mane now through the middle, and Klopp should be proud no matter how the campaign ends.

This could be a pivotal weekend in the title race as Liverpool don't have a gimme at Newcastle, whereas City should be able to overcome a one-goal handicap at Leeds.

City sizzled in parts of their 4-3 win over Real Madrid on Tuesday - they have now scored 14 goals in their last four matches - and Leeds could be overwhelmed defensively.

The bare numbers suggest Leeds have improved defensively with one goal conceded in the last three but according to fbref.com the expected-goals against was a whopping 4.9.

That doesn't bode well given those fixtures were against Southampton, Watford and Crystal Palace. It's City up next and we know how good City are - even Klopp's Liverpool are struggling to overhaul them.

Best bet

Man City -1 handicap 5.30pm Saturday
1pt 5-6 BoyleSports

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