As shown above, Manchester City are no strangers to improving on a difficult period of form and winning the league.
In fact, Guardiola has overturned deficits of eight or more points in four of the six Premier League title-winning seasons.
The ability to bounce back from a string of poor results and embark on a relentless winning streak, particularly in the latter stages of the campaign, means no-one dares write them off in the title race.
But for once, history is not on their side. Based on the stats, an eight-point deficit seems doable, but moving forward from an eleven-point deficit is something they've never done before – and not many others have, either.
Serious doubts are being raised due to its current form.
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “You know now that if you get a bit of momentum in a game you can actually blow Manchester City away at the moment. They get one, it looks like their doors are opening.” .
“It seems to be a mental thing. The game management doesn't seem to be there. They constantly make mistakes or give the opponent a chance.”
Former Blackburn striker Chris Sutton said City appeared “fragile” and clearly lacked “faith”.
“Overall, can they recover?” he added. “Perhaps we are at the stage where we look at Manchester City and ask ourselves, can they get that confidence back?”
It is impossible to ignore the significance of the injuries to Rodri, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish and even Oscar Bobb.
“Historically you know City can do it but at the moment they look so exhausted,” said former Brighton striker Glenn Murray.
“The result [against Liverpool] will have a big impact on the title race.
Former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder Don Hutchison said “there is no going back” for Guardiola’s side if they lose at Anfield, but a win would change the conversation.
“They are capable of picking up a series of wins,” he added.
“If they can get their season back on track with a result at Anfield we will all change our minds and say they are back. It’s a game that puts huge pressure on City.”
Guardiola has committed to the club for the next two years but he must produce one of his greatest feats if City are to have a chance of winning an unprecedented fifth successive trophy in May.