Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says this season may be “too soon” for the Reds to mount a serious title challenge.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have started the campaign much better than some expected but, speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Carragher said a lot depends on how reigning champions Manchester City manage their fixture schedule:

“It might be a year too soon. I still just think City have got the edge, defensively. I don’t think there is a real weakness in their team. It’s whether De Bruyne is out for a while. They lost Gundogan, who was a massive player for them, and they will miss that at some stage. Of course, they will.”

“It’s whether going to the Club World Cup, with the extra trips and games, will have an impact. Europa League games are going to be less intense for Liverpool compared to Champions League matches.”

“If Man City are going a long way in Europe and Liverpool do the same in the Europa, could Jurgen Klopp use his squad more rather than having to play their best team constantly? That could be in Liverpool’s favour. Liverpool have got to get to January and see where they are, you never know.”

Carragher is forgetting another title contender

After running City so close last campaign, it is somewhat surprising that Carragher doesn’t even mention Arsenal.

The Gunners have started this season looking like they will be challengers once again so if Liverpool are to battle for top spot, they will likely have to fend off Mikel Arteta’s men too.

Liverpool have a younger, hungrier team

One of the key reasons for overhauling the squad in the summer was to reduce the age of the first team. The arrivals of players such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, and the departures of Jordan Henderson and James Milner, mean the average age is now 25.9; the 9th youngest in the league.

Over the course of the campaign, with so many games to play domestically and in Europe, it should allow the Reds to compete on all fronts and maintain their form. It remains to be seen though whether it will be enough to get the better of City.

Watch a preview of Liverpool’s next game against Brighton this weekend on Shots! TV here