Ex-Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has tipped his former side to deliver Premier League glory next season because Manchester City have failed to replace Vincent Kompany this summer.
Kompany led City to the title for a fourth time in May after seeing off the challenge of Liverpool with a season-ending tally of 98 points that pipped the Reds by a point.
The Belgian centre-back arguably scored one of the more critical goals of the title race – with his long-range thunderbolt against Leicester ensuring City’s destiny was in their own hands going into the final weekend.
And former Red Nicol feels that City’s inability to fill the void left by the 33-year-old – who departed the Etihad Stadium to become player-manager at former club Anderlecht – will give Liverpool the upper hand when it comes to clinching the title next May.
Manchester City have brought in three players so far this summer but none at centre-back – with Angelino as yet their only defensive signing – while just over a week remains of the transfer window.
Nicol told ESPN FC (via The Daily Express): “I’ve gone for Liverpool, but I’ll tell you why I’ve gone for Liverpool.
“Manchester City have lost Vincent Kompany and haven’t replaced him.
“For me, his introduction in the second part of the season, his form, not just that incredible goal he scored, but his presence made all the difference.
“So because of that, that’s why I’m going for Liverpool. Not because I’m a Liverpool supporter.”
However, Kompany made just 13 starts in the Premier League last season, meaning City coped without him in the starting XI for around two-thirds of the campaign.
So his overall effect for City last season could potentially be subject of slight hyperbole from the former Liverpool man, whose insistence that his opinion was bereft of bias could suggest he was clutching at straws with his main argument lacking necessary weight.
