Manchester United legend Gary Neville has claimed Liverpool will win the Premier League title if John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi continue to pair up in defence for Manchester City.
The defensive duo struggled against Norwich City at the weekend as the Canaries ran out 3-2 winners at Carrow Road.
But has no other option but to play the pair following Aymeric Laporte's knee injury which will keep the French international out of action for five or six months.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Neville addressed Man City's 68 per cent win ratio when Stones and Otamendi partner up - and the 44-year-old thinks it could cost Guardiola the title.
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Neville said: "What will cost Manchester City the Premier League title is [their 68 per cent win ratio] when Stones and Otamendi play together.
"If these two play together, at their current rate, [City] won’t win the league.
"Since Laporte came to the club, Pep Guardiola has given up on this partnership [John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi].
"The last time they played together in a big game was when Liverpool beat Manchester City 4-3.
"Otamendi always gets caught as a centre-back. He never quickens up the attack, he’s always on his backside. He’s so not a Pep Guardiola-type centre-back.
"He’s rash. Pep Guardiola-type centre-backs are composed.
"Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, there was always a game too far where he’d say right that’s it you’re done.
"I think this is the game where Guardiola decided ‘right, that’s it you can’t play together’.
"They haven’t played together since this game. Laporte’s injury, [Vincent] Kompany leaving, not replacing him is a big problem for City."
After victory against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon Liverpool now possess a five point advantage at the top of the table.
The Reds are in action on Tuesday evening as they take on Napoli in the Champions League opener.
Meanwhile, City are set to travel to Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.
