Jurgen Klopp has enjoyed a good start to the season with Liverpool (Picture: Getty Images)
Peter Schemichel does not expect Manchester City to face much of a challenge for the Premier League title this season, giving Arsenal the best chance, but not much of a hope.
The defending champions have started the campaign in perfect fashion, winning their first five games and sitting two points clear from Tottenham and Liverpool at the top of the table after a 3-1 win at West Ham on Saturday.
Liverpool kept up their own encouraging start to the season with a 3-1 win at Wolves, which saw them come from behind to make it four league wins on the spin.
It was an exciting game at Molineux, thanks in part to how open Jurgen Klopp’s side were in the first half, when they were fortunate to only be 1-0 behind.
They regrouped and were impressive in the second half, but Schmeichel believes their defensive weakness is going to cost them as the campaign develops.
‘I don’t think they [Liverpool] can [keep up with Manchester City]. I don’t think [they can],’ the former Manchester United goalkeeper told Premier League productions. ‘If there is a team, it might be Arsenal – but that is a big might.
‘I don’t think anyone can stay with Man City, we were just looking at that line-up today and you look at their back four, how are you gonna compete with that? [Kyle] Walker, [Ruben] Dias, [Manuel] Akanji and [Josko] Gvardiol – how can you compete with that?
‘You can’t match it, and Liverpool for sure can’t match it. I agree with you. They are very, very vulnerable at the back.’
Liverpool had to come from behind to beat Wolves (Picture: Getty Images)
Liverpool hero Steve McManaman is expecting an entertaining season from his former club, but also sees their defence – which has only conceded four goals in five games – will cost them.
‘They’re going to get interesting, exciting matches because they are vulnerable at the back,’ he said.
‘It’s gonna be a ride watching Liverpool this year because it’s gonna be a lot of ups and downs. They’re going to concede goals aplenty.’
MORE : Four Liverpool players miss training on Thursday in worry for Jurgen Klopp
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