John Giles has made Liverpool "slight favourites" for the Premier League and feels they've edged ahead of Manchester City.
The two sides faced off in last Sunday's Community Shield with City prevailing on penalties.
But John doesn't see it as a "guide" to how the Premier League season will pan out.
As Transfer Deadline Day wound down, he assessed Liverpool's quiet window. Some critics have suggested Liverpool should have built from a position from strength.
But John doesn't feel that they had absolutely had to invest heavily again.
"I wasn't surprised they didn't buy," he told us.
"I don't think there was anything in the team where you thought 'they definitely need someone there'.
Title Tip
"And [Klopp] has also spent a lot of money in the last two years anyway. I'd say the way Liverpool's run, he wouldn't be encouraged to spend that amount of money again. I think their attitude would be, 'You spent a fair bit of money and we've got a good young squad and we'll go the way we're going.'"
Some observers believe Man City will stroll to the title. But John doesn't believe that and instead believes Liverpool have edged ahead.
"I would make Liverpool slight favourites," he said and explained how that relates to Man City's defence.
"[Man City] didn't get Harry Maguire and Vincent Kompany is gone. Kompany was huge and was their best player by a mile at defending. He hasn't been replaced. Maguire would have been the ideal replacement but they haven't done it.
"Kompany actually helped them win the league and played the last 5-6 matches on the bounce. He was by far and away the best defender City had got. They haven't replaced him. Liverpool don't have that problem with Van Dijk and their defenders. Liverpool are also a younger team. If [City] had signed Maguire, it would be even stevens with maybe Man City slightly in front. But I don't see that now."
You can watch the full chat with John Giles below via YouTube or listen on the podcast:
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