Liverpool have been told to see Manchester City's successful appeal against their UEFA ban as a plus.
The Reds won a first Premier League title this term and Jurgen Klopp has already spoken about the motivation of retaining it.
City were inconsistent this term but are expected to mount a serious challenge next season as they aim to wrestle back their crown.
And John Aldridge felt that a lack of Champions League football would've been a massive help to City given the preparation time it would've given them.
But with Pep Guardiola having to manage his resources across all four competitions, like Liverpool, the former Reds sees it as a "level playing field".
He told the Liverpool Echo : “From a Liverpool perspective, the Court of Arbitration of Sport's decision to overturn Manchester City's two-year ban from the Champions League will help them.
“If City were out of that competition for next season, then they would have so much more time to focus and dedicate their energies on domestic trophies and obviously that includes the Premier League.
“With this decision, it is more of a level playing field across the board for both clubs next season.
"So both teams will be going for the Premier League and the Champions League and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out again next time out.
“The only thing is perhaps some of City's top stars who were maybe contemplating leaving will now stay at the Etihad as it has been turned around for them.
“That will no doubt make Liverpool's job tougher next season but I think having all the competitions to focus on will make it an even keel for both.”
