Jamie Carragher accused Manchester United of bottling the Premier League title race and claimed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are just "happy being involved".
The ex-Liverpool player was asked on Sky Sports which of the current contenders could stop leaders Manchester City from claiming the title. Carragher immediately dismissed Manchester United, citing their recent performances, and claimed only his former club could challenge.
"It's only Liverpool that can stop them because I don't think Man United even fancy it," said Carragher.
"I agree with what Graeme [Souness] said in the studio just then, I think listening to the comments of the United manager yesterday... Man United feel like they're happy to be involved.
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"I cannot believe it, I honestly can't believe it, this is a unique season, we know it's different."
He went on to add: "I think Man United in the last few weeks have almost bottled it, they've got there and have been so excited they're there and have almost talked themselves out of it with the last few results they've had. I don't think there's much belief there."
The Old Trafford side were top of the league table in early January, the first time they have been first halfway through a Premier League season since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013. However the club have drawn two and lost one of their last four league games.
On Saturday, they led twice against Everton but Dominic Calvert-Lewin's goal deep into stoppage time meant the match ended in a 3-3 draw.
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Post-match, Solskjaer had said: "We're not talking about winning titles. We've come a long way, this team. We shouldn't even be considered as title chasers."
It was clearly an attempt to take the pressure off his side, who were not widely expected to challenge for the title this season with Liverpool and Manchester City the pre-season favourites. But Carragher feels the comments are an admission the team lack belief.
Ahead of his former club's visit to the Etihad on Sunday, Carragher still gave Liverpool a chance of the title despite a poor run that has seen the Reds lose three of their last six league games and slip to fourth in the table.
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"Liverpool have got no centre-backs, City have got no strikers, [Kevin] De Bruyne's out today," he said.
"We're saying how great of a season City have had, but last season we were saying they were off the boil, they were nowhere near their best, they're only three points better off this season.
"So, it still shows they're not the City of two or three years ago that we've seen and it is a strange season."
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