Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri believes that Liverpool's Premier League campaign will suffer as a result of their Champions League participation.
Spearheaded by 31-goal Luis Suarez, the Reds finished two points behind champions City in a thrilling title race that went down to the final day of last season.
However, with Suarez's move to Barcelona, coupled with additional European commitments, Nasri feels that Brendan Rodgers's side will struggle to improve on their second-place finish this time around.
The Frenchman told ESPN: "Liverpool will find it tougher because they have lost Luis Suarez and they will be playing Champions League football so it will be different for them.
"Last season they only had the Premier League to go for in the final months and it gave them a real advantage because their players were going into games fresher at a vital stage of the campaign."
Chelsea lead the way in the table, collecting maximum points from their opening three fixtures as Jose Mourinho's side sit ahead of Swansea City on goal difference.
Shane Callaghan
