Nicky Butt Fears Manchester City Could Snatch Premier League Title Despite Liverpool’s Strong Squad

Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt has admitted he has a “horrible feeling” that Manchester City could reclaim the Premier League title this season — despite many expecting Liverpool to dominate the campaign.

Liverpool, who were crowned champions last season ahead of Arsenal, were widely tipped to retain their crown after an impressive summer transfer window. However, a recent dip in form has left fans questioning whether they can keep pace with a revitalized City side.

City, who stumbled early in the season with defeats to Tottenham and Brighton, have since rediscovered their rhythm. They are unbeaten in the league since, with crucial wins over Burnley, Brentford, and Everton propelling them to second place, just three points behind Arsenal and one point above Liverpool.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt shared his mixed feelings about how the title race might unfold.
“I always thought Liverpool [would win the title this year] because of the size of the squad,” he said. “Obviously Liverpool are having a hiccup now but when they get going, which they will do, no one will beat them. But I’ve just got a horrible feeling for City.”

Butt also highlighted the continued brilliance of Erling Haaland, who has already bagged 11 goals in eight games, calling it an impressive return for a side that is “not yet firing on all cylinders.”

Opinion: City’s Silent Comeback — A Familiar Script in the Making

If there’s one thing Premier League fans have learned over the years, it’s that you never write off Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s men have a unique knack for turning sluggish starts into unstoppable winning streaks — and it seems history might be repeating itself.

While Liverpool dazzled early on with their explosive attack and depth, their recent “hiccup” shows that sustaining intensity across a full season remains the hardest part of title contention. City, meanwhile, appear to be doing what they do best — gathering quiet momentum while others grab the headlines.

And then there’s Haaland — a one-man goal machine. Even when City aren’t at their best, he delivers, keeping the team within striking distance. If the rest of the squad clicks into gear, it’s hard to imagine anyone stopping them.

So yes, Nicky Butt’s “horrible feeling” might just be every rival fan’s worst nightmare: City rising from the shadows once again to lift the Premier League trophy — calm, clinical, and utterly inevitable.