Former Manchester City and Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has taken aim at Liverpool.

SWP says Liverpool failing to sign Timo Werner has opened the doors to the likes of Chelsea - who are set to snap up the German - to reach their level.

"I think that what Liverpool did really well this year, was that when they had to win, they did win," he exclusively told AmericanGambler.com.

"And when City had to win games to stay with them, they either drew them or lost them, which saw the gap just get bigger and bigger.

"I think this year is going to be a completely different year, and I heard that Liverpool actually wanted Werner but that upstairs didn't allow it.

"So if teams keep improving, and Liverpool are not improving then that big gap will naturally get smaller."

He added: "I think next year if Lampard gets the players that he wants and get his team exactly as he wants it, then 100 per cent [Chelsea will challenge for the title].

"They still challenging for the Champions League spots now, so it's only one step further forward, and that is challenging against Man City and Liverpool, who have run away with it this year."