Garth Cooks suggests that Kevin De Bruyne could be a problem for Liverpool in battle against Manchester City.

The Belgian playmaker has enjoyed a great start to the season, managing five assists in the first four games of the campaign.

And Cooks believes that if De Bruyne continues at that pace, City will be red hot favourites to win their third successive Premier League title.

De Bruyne was troubled by knee issues for much of last season.

"He scored the first goal and set up the second in a first-half performance that just oozed class [against Brighton and Hove Albion]," Crooks wrote for BBC Sport.

"The Belgium international has now contributed five assists in four games and at this rate could find himself in the late teens and even reaching 20 in an injury-free season.

"This would spell disaster for Liverpool of course. Just a thought!"