Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester City will repeat their Premier League success this season - and only Liverpool will be realistic challengers, in a repeat of recent years.

The former Manchester United hero does not see anyone else challenging for the league's top spot this season, after Pep Guardiola's City pipped Jurgen Klopp's side by only a point in 2021-22 to secure their fourth title in five seasons.

While a number of departures and arrivals have changed things in north-west England's football landscape, the 43-year-old pundit expects history to repeat itself.

Rio Ferdinand says the title race will be another fight between Manchester City and Liverpool

: 'Liverpool have got a chance. It’s them two. No-one else gets close to them two again, I don’t think.

'I still think there are six, eight points between second and third.

'If someone like Spurs make that gap up — it’s a huge, huge, huge gap to make up — they’ll be doing something to make that. Liverpool and City, I think will be a two-horse race. I think City win it.'

Last season finished with Chelsea in third on 74 points, a whole 18 points behind the Reds in second. Spurs were in fourth three points behind the Blues - but one point ahead of their north London rivals Arsenal.

Liverpool have lost the likes of Divock Origi and Sadio Mane during the off-season, but have signed Darwin Nunez among others for their campaign, which begins on Saturday at Fulham.

Meanwhile, City's title defence also begins with a visit to London, when they take on West Ham United at the London Stadium the day after.

Whilst many players have left the Etihad this summer - including Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho and Gabriel Jesus - the Citizens can count on Erling Haaland and Kalvin Phillips to be eager to win Premier League titles.