Gary Neville believes that Manchester City have suffered a blow in their title race with Liverpool after Aymeric Laporte's injury.
Laporte was stretchered off during the first half of City's 4-0 win over Brighton on Saturday.
He could now be set for a spell on the sidelines with Neville predicting that City will drop points as a result.
Liverpool have opened up a two-point gap at the top of the league after making a 100 per cent start to the season with Manchester City dropping points against Spurs.
The title hunt already looks to be a two-horse race and Neville thinks that the latest run of games will offer confidence to the Reds.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Gary Neville Podcast, he explained: "If Laporte is out for a long period of time, I think it will cost City points. He is a dominant centre-back. He is a brilliant player, Laporte.
"I just look at it and think it’s a real worry. Maguire would have been ideal.
"I think Manchester United did really well to get him, and I’m surprised City didn’t go with them to get him - maybe they did and maybe they pulled out with the money or whatever it was.
"I just think Kompany leaving - he was an old-fashioned, throw your head at it centre-back in both boxes.
"When you go to certain grounds in the Premier League and you have seen it today (Sunday) when balls are flying into the box, Kompany (would be) stood tall.
"That’s the one downer out of the weekend for Manchester City.
"I think Liverpool will be confident going into the international break, and they probably don’t want the international break to come."
