Manchester City legend Shaun Goater insists they can afford a defeat at Liverpool on Sunday in the title race.
Goater, who scored 103 goals in 212 games over six season with the club between 1998 and 2003, insisted it was still too early for a loss to be fatal to their title hopes.
Goater, speaking on behalf of GentingBet, said: "I am a bit nervous because of everything that has happened at Manchester City!
"We are without our main central defender, it's a stopgap with Fernandinho, who has been superb.
"It makes me nervous coming up against Liverpool's attack but these players know and understand it is such a big, vital game and I am sure they will perform at their highest level."