Liverpool and Manchester City are tipped to engage in a showdown for the Premier League title this season. The Reds remain unbeaten and appear as the favorite to win the championship, but according to City legend Micah Richards, his former club will take home the trophy for the third time.
Richards is convinced City will still end up the league winner despite the odds favoring Liverpool. The latter is on a winning run and enjoys a six-point over its nearest Premier League rival, which is Manchester City.
However, the Reds campaign could be bogged down by injuries, which the former City defender said could prove costly to Liverpool, the Manchester Evening News reported.
"I think City will win the Premier League this season. They've made it hard for themselves with the current situation at center back, but City always do things the hard way," Richards was reported as saying.
He added Liverpool deserves all the respect for playing top-level this season, but the club can easily lose its balance with the ever-present threats of injuries to key players.
They are playing really well, but if they pick up an injury to one of their key men, then the team loses some balance. If [Mohamed] Salah, [Sadio] Mane, or [Roberto] Firmino gets injured, it would massively impact the way they play and make it difficult for them to maintain that level," observed the former England international.
Richards offered his thoughts on the matter as the two clubs are slated to battle at Anfield this weekend. The showdown will possibly serve as a preview to the Premier League title clash and will redefine the competition's standings, The Daily Star said in a report.
A win by the Reds will allow the team to pull away from City, but if the latter will triumph, the gap between the two will dwindle.
As the same report said, the face-off "promises to be a pivotal game in the title race."
Richards said he picked City to win chiefly because Per Guardiola guides the team. He described the Spaniard as No. 1 in his league.
"Pep Guardiola is the best manager in world football right now. His ability to get the best out of his players is a rare quality that separates him from most other managers," Richards said.
For Guardiola, the best part of coaching work is done on the background, the former City player said, adding the Catalan native allows his players to do their best and steps in when needed.
"He has a philosophy that he will stick with and he doesn't rest on his laurels, even if City are winning by four or five goals, he wants more from his players - it's a great combination," Richards said.
