"It's Liverpool's game to lose and expect them to come out on top"

Didi Hamann feels Liverpool are the chief challengers to Manchester City retaining their Premier League crown and insists the outcome of their heavyweight clash at Anfield on Sunday could have a big say on the final destination of the title.

The former midfielder, who claimed Champions League silverware with Liverpool and also spent three seasons at Manchester City, believes Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are a bigger obstacle to the reigning champions than Chelsea.

Early pace-setters Liverpool remain the only unbeaten team in the Premier League at the six-game stage and although they have profited from a soft schedule, the German international thinks they can overcome the City test.

Hamann understands this is an important match in terms of the title race and told Freesupertips.com: "Liverpool are one point ahead of City at the moment so it's a big opportunity for them to go four points clear.

"I know it's early in the season but I think psychologically it's a big thing because these two teams have dominated the league in the past two or three years.

"When you've got a cushion or a slight advantage at the top then it does make things a bit easier and, for whoever wins, it'll be a big confidence boost."

"This game will have a bigger impact on the teams psychologically rather than the points that are at stake."

Manchester City have won on only two of their 23 trips to Liverpool in the Premier League era and Hamann thinks their treacherous Anfield record may continue.

"I think Liverpool are looking really strong at the moment.

"I know City have racked up a few goals in some of their fixtures, but in recent weeks they haven't found it easy to score.

"With Fabinho back in midfield and their defence bolstered by the return of Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, I feel like it's Liverpool's game to lose and expect them to come out on top on Sunday."

Manchester City readily outclassed title rivals Chelsea in a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge last weekend to move level on points with the Blues, but Hamann believes Pep Guardiola’s men may struggle to repeat that performance at a packed-out Anfield.

"I'm not sure Manchester City will be able to play the way they did at Chelsea against Liverpool at Anfield.

"I think Liverpool's attack is more versatile than that of Chelsea, and Jurgen Klopp inherits a title-winning team.

"Chelsea won the Champions League, but the Premier League is a different format. Liverpool won the Champions League without winning a Premier League title.

"Usually, the best team wins the Premier League and that's not always the case in Europe.

"I'm not sure whether Chelsea have that championship-winning mentality, although they have bolstered their attack with Romelu Lukaku who will score plenty of goals.

"But I don't think Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea are in the same league as Liverpool, so City shouldn’t be expecting an easy ride at Anfield."

Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future has been a hot topic in recent weeks and the club may have to make the 29-year-old the highest paid player in their history in order to ensure he remains on Merseyside.

Salah is currently contracted until 2023 and Hamann hopes they don’t lose the services of the Egyptian talisman in the same way they did with Georginio Wijnaldum.

"It's a double blow if you lose a player as a free agent these days.

"Obviously, if he doesn't want to stay and he fancies a new challenge then I'm a big believer that if someone wants to leave, if the price is right, then you've got to let them go.

"Salah has been a brilliant player for Liverpool, and they wouldn't want to lose him on a free.

"If he decides to go, then they need to make sure they get a decent amount of money for him and spend it on bringing in another quality player.

"I hope he does stay, but if the price is right and he wants to go then the club should make it happen."

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport