Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has reacted to Manchester City's Champions League ban by claiming it could have a positive impact on the Premier League next season.
City have been banned from European competitions for the next two seasons by UEFA, pending an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Blues came into the 2019/20 campaign as favourites to defend their title but currently sit in second, 25 points behind Liverpool.
Merson believes City's key players should have the mentality of wanting to stay put even if the ban is upheld and focus on trying to dethrone Liverpool next season.
"I think it helps if all the Man City players stayed next season due to the way Liverpool have ripped them up this year. The way Liverpool have outplayed them this season, I think the players will want to stay to put it straight," Merson told Sky Sports.
"Their mentality should be that, after what Liverpool have done, they need to win the Premier League next season. If City had achieved what Liverpool have this year, I wouldn't see a player being there next year [if the UEFA ban is upheld].
"They'd have won the league again, and the feeling would then be that winning the Champions League is all that's left.
"Of course, it all depends on if this team now wins the competition this season. But I don't know if they're going to get away with it - I'm not sure if that ban is going to get overturned."
