Chris Sutton believes Liverpool could challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title if they stand by their decisions in the transfer market
Get the latest City team news, transfer stories, match updates and analysis delivered straight to your inbox – FREE
We have more newsletters
Get the latest City team news, transfer stories, match updates and analysis delivered straight to your inbox – FREE
We have more newsletters
Chris Sutton has identified Liverpool as Manchester City’s biggest rival as Pep Guardiola’s side look to win a record-breaking four consecutive league titles.
City have made a perfect start to the new campaign, with Rodri’s late goal at Sheffield United making it three wins from three. They are the only Premier League side to maintain their 100% record, while four other sides have picked up seven points from the nine available, including Liverpool.
In previous years, Jurgen Klopp’s side have often been City’s main title rival and Chris Sutton believes they are capable of mounting a fresh challenge, having won two of their games, despite twice being reduced to 10 men. The Merseyside club demonstrated their resilience against Newcastle United on Sunday as Darwin Nunez completed a dramatic comeback with a later brace after Virgil van Dijk had been sent off.
READ: 'The game has changed' – Rodri details Man City response to unpopular call
"They are probably the ones who I think can push Manchester City the most," BBC Sport pundit Sutton told the Monday Night Club. "I think in terms of, they went down to 10 men against Bournemouth last week and saw them off pretty well, but to do it at Newcastle – I thought that was a major statement.
“I still think City will win the Premier League, but Liverpool needed that yesterday and will go from strength to strength – if they can keep hold of Mohamed Salah."
It has been reported by CBS Sports that Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad are preparing a bid worth £128million for Salah. However, Klopp was adamant that the forward will be staying at Anfield.
Arsenal were the club who ran City closest last season before faltering in the final part of the campaign. However, Sutton is confident that Liverpool’s trio of midfield signings will transform that area of the team and help put them back into title contention.
Further up the pitch, Sutton feels Nunez’s goals against Newcastle could also be a sign of things to come after a frustrating first season in English football. The pundit marvelled at Klopp’s ability to leave Diogo Jota and Nunez out of the starting XI, in favour of Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, suggesting that Liverpool have a stronger squad than Arsenal.
"We've all spoken about Liverpool's signings, Szoboszlai and Mac Allister," Sutton added. "They're an upgrade on Henderson and Fabinho – Liverpool have a more creative midfield."
"If you look at Liverpool's frontline and the fact they can leave Jota [and Nunez] on the bench, that's a formidable frontline," he continued. "It's hard to think of another team in the Premier League who have that strength in depth.”
The transfer window has been a hectic one and City have been busy, with high-profile signings and sales aplenty.
City snapped up Croatian pair Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol from Chelsea and RB Leipzig respectively with the latest addition being Jeremy Doku. Wolves' Matheus Nunes then joined the Blues on deadline day. In terms of outgoings, Treble winner Ilkay Gundogan departed for Barcelona, Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez moved to Saudi Arabia, and Cole Palmer completed a shock move to Chelsea.
Our team of City experts will be on top of all the goings-on at the Etihad across deadline day and beyond, and you can get the latest updates and inside information to your phone by joining our new free WhatsApp community below.
—
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.