Kenny Cunningham believes Liverpool will win the Premier League if they can come out on top in their head-to-head matches with Manchester City.
The former Ireland, Wimbledon and Sunderland defender joined us on Monday night's Off The Ball to review a weekend with wildly diverging narratives.
Man City and Liverpool beat Watford and Chelsea respectively - City doing so spectacularly.
Tottenham lost to Leicester, while Man United fell badly short at West Ham. And but for a late comeback at home to Aston Villa, Arsenal's 10-men were also on course for a setback.
Head-to-Head
But at the top, Liverpool are five points clear of Man City. Last season, their second head-to-head encounter essentially decided the title in City's favour. Indeed, it was the only defeat of 2018-19 for Jurgen Klopp's side. This season, Kenny expects their head-to-head games to decide the direction of the Premier League more than games against the also-rans.
"It may well just be that. Liverpool home and away may decide the outcome in the championship this year," he said.
"If Liverpool take four points against Manchester City this year, for me that's going to be enough.
"I think Liverpool are going to win it anyway, don't get me wrong. I can see Liverpool staying top and winning the season - I don't think anyone will catch them.
"But certainly I think if they take four points off City - as City did to them last season, that will probably do it.
"Because I don't think Liverpool, as they did in the second half of last season, will let that lead slip. I don't think it's going to happen again. Mentally, they're in a difference place. I think they're hungry and are not going to make those mistakes again."
Kenny also discussed the other results from the weekend including how the outside challengers for a Top 4 place will fare.
You can watch the full chat with Kenny above via our YouTube channel.
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