Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has predicted that Liverpool and Manchester City will once again go toe-to-toe for the Premier League title this season.
In the last four seasons the pair have made up the top two spots, with the only exception when Jurgen Klopp's side had a concentrated injury crisis in 2020/21.
City have won by one point on two occasions, including last season which went right to the wire, with Guardiola’s men coming from behind on the final day to beat Aston Villa and win the league.
Ferdinand is confident that both sides will be clear once more, as the gap between them and the teams beneath is too big. Liverpool finished 18 points clear of Chelsea last season.
Advert
Speaking to FootballJOE, he said: “Liverpool have got a chance. It’s them two (Liverpool and City). No-one else gets close to them two again I don’t think. I still think there are six, eight points between second and third.
“If someone like Spurs make that gap up — it’s a huge, huge, huge gap to make up — they’ll be doing something to make that."
"Liverpool and City, I think will be a two-horse race. I think City win it.”
City and Liverpool have both made considerable investments and lost some key players ahead of the new season, but, clearly, the showpiece comparison comes between Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland.
Nunez got the upper hand on Saturday when the Reds beat City 3-1 in the Community Shield, in which he scored the third goal and played a part in a decisive penalty.
Haaland had a tough day, but it would be foolish to say he won't hit the ground running at the Etihad.
The two add an extra dynamic to what is already one of the greatest footballing head-to-heads we’ve seen in the Premier League, and despite Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea’s best efforts it is likely that this will continue for another few years yet.
Topics: Rio Ferdinand, Manchester City, Liverpool
Chris Stonadge