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Shay Given reckons Liverpool not playing in the UEFA Champions League could benefit them in the title race with Manchester City.
In the last few seasons, Jurgen Klopp's Reds have lost the Premier League title narrowly to the Cityzens. They're the only team apart from Guardiola's side to win the Premier League in the last six seasons (2019-20).
Last season, though, the Reds lost their way, finishing fifth in the league and only qualifying for the UEFA Europa League. However, according to Given, that could help them challenge Manchester City for the title once again.
The former Newcastle United and Sky Blues goalkeeper wrote in his BBC column:
"Liverpool won't like being in the Europa League, but it will help them challenge City, because their midweek games will not be as demanding as Champions League matches are. I am not saying the Europa League is easy, but the facts are the teams are not as good, and it means Klopp will be able to rotate his squad.
He did it against LASK in Austria on Thursday, when Salah came off the bench late on to score, but was still fresh to face West Ham. It is another reason why this strong Liverpool start might be hard to stop"
Klopp's Liverpool beat LASK Linz 3-1 in their Europa League opener on Thursday (September 21). The German manager made several changes to his team, including leaving Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Andy Robertson and Alisson Becker from the starting XI.
The Reds are expected to qualify from Group E, which also has French side Toulouse and Belgian outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
Manchester City, meanwhile, would hardly have complaints about being pooled with RB Leipzig, Crvena Zvezda and Young Boys in their UEFA Champions League group. The defending champions won their opener 3-1 at the Etihad over Crvena.
Liverpool and Manchester City pull away from the rest in gameweek 6
After five Premier League games, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool were all tied on 13 points while Manchester City had 15.
However, after the 2-2 draw between the Gunners and Spurs at the Emirates, the Reds have moved to sole second Jurgen Klopp's side put in a commanding performance against West Ham United at Anfield on September 24, winning 3-1.
City, meanwhile, continued their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest despite Rodri's 46th-minute red card. Phil Foden and Erling Haaland's early goals proved to be the difference at the Etihad.
The Cityzens are coming off a historic treble-winning 2022-23 campaign. However, despite winning every major title under Pep Guardiola, they seem relentless and are the team to beat in the league and Europe.
