Andy Gray says only Aymeric Laporte would get into a combined Liverpool and Manchester City defence from a Citizens standpoint – calling Pep Guardiola’s defence their ‘Achilles heel’ this season.
The French centre-back is a top player but is expected to be out of action until the New Year with an injury sustained early on in the campaign.
Many pundits have pointed towards the Reds being marginal favourites for the title now that is the case, and while it will still be incredibly difficult to pip them to the title, City’s defensive showing against Norwich at the weekend did nothing to play down that optimism.
Speaking on BeinSports, Gray said: “That is one of the main differences between Liverpool and Manchester City. Only Laporte would get anywhere near Liverpool’s back four. That is where City’s Achilles heel is: defensively.”
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With John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi at centre-back at Carrow Road, City were exposed by the high press Daniel Farke’s side employed. It remains to be seen how many sides are brave enough to actually attempt to replicate that tactic, but Norwich have set the blueprint.