Pundit Paul Merson has revealed his concern with Manchester City's summer business which could boost Liverpool's title chances.
The Reds have finished second by a point twice to Pep Guardiola’s men, even after accumulating points totals of 98 and 92.
Both sides have been very active in the transfer window this summer, with City bringing in arguably the prospective signing of the summer in superstar forward Erling Haaland.
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Julian Alvarez and Kalvin Phillips have also joined with high expectations and big reputations.
Liverpool have recruited smartly too, with the big-money arrival of Darwin Nunez their alternative to City’s Haaland deal.
Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay have also joined on cheaper deals and look to be challenging for places in the first-team squad this campaign.
Outgoings in the market are slightly different for both sides, though. City are currently left with Riyad Mahrez as the only natural right-winger at the club, with Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus leaving for Chelsea and Arsenal.
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Liverpool may have sold Sadio Mane, but the rest of their sales were in the squad to rebuild for the future.
Merson noted Man City's exits this transfer window as a worry, which Liverpool can no doubt make the most of.
“They (City) are losing a lot of good players who have been important for them, and we don’t know how quickly the new signings will adapt,” Arsenal legend Merson said in the Daily Star.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if they start the season slowly, and you don’t want to give anyone a head start in this league or it can be hard to catch up.
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“Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez could turn out to be the best signings ever. Haaland could be unreal. But it takes time to get used to Pep Guardiola’s system.
“And it takes time to adapt to a new league and settle in a new country. There’s no guarantee it works straight away. I think it’s definitely: ‘Watch this space’.”
It is looking ever more likely that the two clubs will be battling again at the top of the pyramid this season. It'll be a spectacle, for sure.
Topics: Paul Merson, Liverpool, Manchester City
Chris Stonadge