3 reasons why Liverpool will not win the Premier League this season

#1 Manchester City have been unlucky but will return stronger in 2019

City have been without talisman Kevin de Bruyne (far right, no.17) for the majority of this season

As previously mentioned, City have been the unluckiest of all teams involved in this season's title race. That was with regards to injuries suffered by key players. As far as results go, Liverpool remain the league's only unbeaten side - but City were a converted penalty away from ending their run in October - and genuinely should have more points than their existing 44.

Riyad Mahrez stepped up and fired wildly over the crossbar, costing City two potential points late on

Their 1-1 away draw against newly-promoted Wolves in August was marred by Willy Boly's opener, which the French defender bundled over the line with his hand from Joao Moutinho's cross into the box. Now, if VAR was introduced at the start of this season, the goal would have been correctly disallowed. Instead, it wasn't. The goal stood as the linesman on the far side didn't spot Boly handling it, so couldn't actually give a free-kick the other way.

Boly handled the ball against City and the goal was allowed, ensuring Wolves earned a 1-1 draw

Aymeric Laporte netted an equaliser to ensure Pep's men avoided defeat, but that's two points City have dropped where they shouldn't have.

It's unlikely but not entirely impossible, so let's say the title race goes down to the wire and Liverpool pip City by a point or two. At present, the Citizens have a superior goal difference (+5). It wouldn't matter though, because of one result all the way back in August which had a significant bearing on City's final league position.

Perspective ahead of a telling year

Pep Guardiola's a perfectionist and is aware of the challenges which lie ahead in City's quest for more success in 2019. After all, they lost to Liverpool on their route to last season's Champions League Final - so know just how dangerous the Reds are.

However, Kevin de Bruyne's absence and Sergio Aguero's ongoing groin struggles cannot be understated. Both play a pivotal role in City's frontline, even with all of their squad depth and attacking quality - Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sané et al. Kevin the creator-in-chief, Aguero the clinical finisher, they combine to leave defenders in their wake and create chances aplenty.

The devastating Aguero-de Bruyne combination hasn't been unleashed yet this season

Last season, Aguero scored 21 goals and created six more in 22 league starts. He has already showcased his worth once more this term, with important goals in the Manchester Derby and Champions League group stages too. de Bruyne topped the assist charts with 16 and only Arsenal's Mesut Özil averaged more key passes per game than Kevin's 2.9.

Stats' source: WhoScored