Jamie Carragher says Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have had to try to overcome a “disadvantage” when competing with Manchester City for Premier League titles amid the allegations of finances breaches against them.

He believes Pep Guardiola’s title achievements will always carry an asterisk until Man City clear their name of the 115 charges, which the club deny in full. Carragher has called the situation a “public relations disaster” in light of the Blues being on the cusp of a record fourth straight title.

Liverpool - set to wave goodbye to Klopp this Sunday - have had the lowest net spend out of the ‘big six’ during the German’s time at the club and the Reds are thought to have a significantly lower wage bill than that of City.

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Carragher argues that Klopp’s Premier League success ought not to be diminished given the dominance of Man City on the pitch. In 2019 and in 2022, Liverpool lost out on the title by a single point after putting together a magnificent run during the run-in.

Carragher says, like Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal this year, Liverpool’s form in previous seasons was title-worthy and built within sound Profit & Sustainability Rules parameters, which is why the allegations against Man City are so stark.

Writing in his Daily Telegraph column, Carragher said: “Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have been magnificent. They are one game from winning 16 of their last 18 Premier League games, exactly the same as Klopp’s Liverpool in 2022. By all normal definitions, that form deserves a title.

“As was the case with Liverpool, Arsenal’s wage bill is significantly less than City’s. They have taken on a juggernaut and look like they come up just short, not because of any flaws in their set-up, but because of the flawlessness of the opponent.

“Anyone assessing this period in history and judging the close title races through the lens of Arteta and Klopp underachieving does not understand football, and the elite levels required to keep winning under the most intense physical and emotional pressure.”

Carragher added: “Arsenal, just like Liverpool, also had to overcome another disadvantage in pursuit of top spot which cannot be ignored, no matter how much Guardiola, City and the Premier League wish to sweep it under the carpet.

“The foundations at the Emirates and Anfield were laid after a slow and steady rebuild with the clubs diligently abiding by the profit and sustainability rules designed to make it a fair race.

“City, as we know, remain under investigation for fast-tracking their way to the summit and have 115 charges pending related to the years 2009-2018.”

Carragher went on to outline his astonishment that Man City have not pushed for their hearing against the Premier League over the alleged finance breaches to start sooner given their protest of innocence.

Premier League chief Richard Masters has failed to disclose the start date of the hearing, due to take place this year. It is a process that is expected to drag out for a long time, perhaps a number of years.

Carragher said: “Guardiola should be celebrated for his genius by neutrals as well as City fans. But whether he and his club likes it or not, City will never escape the shadow of those allegations until they are dealt with, the years of legal wrangling still preventing the club from clearing its name.

“That is what baffles me about the whole sordid affair. When accusations are made against any individuals or institutions who have absolute certainty in their innocence, you would usually expect the demand of those involved to arrange a hearing at the earliest opportunity.

“Where is the statement from City expressing frustration or fury that the process is taking so long?

“Kicking the can down the road means too many insults are being directed at a brilliant manager and his extraordinary team – none of whom will have a clue about how the club was operating in those years under suspicion. Guardiola deserves better than lifting his sixth Premier League under such a cloud.”