Pep Guardiola believes Liverpool's Premier League title challenge has benefited by their failure to progress in both domestic cup competitions.
And the Manchester City boss is convinced that it is of no advantage to his team that Jurgen Klopp's side now have the added demand of a Champions League semi-final.
City have played nine more domestic cup games than Liverpool this season having won the League Cup and reached next month's FA Cup final. The Reds were eliminated at the first hurdle in both competitions.
Liverpool are transcending generations - but they cannot trust hope in Man City title battle
Liverpool are now preparing for a Champions League last four tie against Barcelona either side of next Saturday's Premier League trip to Newcastle United.
But Guardiola - whose City team were dumped out in the quarter-finals by Tottenham Hotspur - doesn't regard that as a disadvantage to their title rivals.
“When that happens in November, December, January, February that helps a lot," said the Catalan, whose side can go back to the top of the Premier League with victory at Burnley on Sunday.
"That happened for Liverpool. In that period it was better for Liverpool than us.
“But to be involved in the Champions League semi-finals – you are not tired. You do not feel any pain. That is a better position to be in, to be in the semi-finals.
“The toughest months in this competition are December, January, February when they had two weeks in training camps and we had to be here playing every three days. That is a big advantage for the opponent.”
