Wenger believes injured Laporte is Man City's handicap against Liverpool

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Liverpool have a decisive edge in the Premier League title race, due to one injury sustained by a key member of the Manchester City squad.

The Gunners legend believes that City cannot afford to be without French defender Aymeric Laporte, who is currently sidelined with a long-term injury.

In his absence, City's defensive line has been shaky, with Pep Guardiola forced to call upon midfielders Fernandinho and Rodri at times to slot into a deeper role.

With Laporte absent, Wenger believes that Liverpool have an edge that could prove to be decisive, with City lacking strength in defence

"Well we have seen in recent years that they are very tight games. We know Man City will take the game to Liverpool, and that Liverpool will be very dangerous on the counter-attack," he told BeIN Sports.

"I personally feel they could not afford to lose [Aymeric] Laporte, Manchester City.

"If you look at their results, they still play great football but they are a fractionally a bit more vulnerable defensively. And that could be a big handicap against Liverpool."