'That’s the only thing I see' - Micah Richards names factor that could 'hamper' Man City in title race against Liverpool

Micah Richards fears a Champions League exit could 'knock the confidence' of Manchester City heading into the final few games of the Premier League campaign.

The current champions returned to the summit with an emphatic 4-0 win over Leeds United in the late kick off on Saturday, an important response after Liverpool beat Newcastle 1-0 earlier in the day. Another test awaits Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday night, however, as they look to reach a second consecutive European cup final.

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They take a 4-3 lead into the second leg of their semi-final tie with Real Madrid, but with the match at the Bernabeu, the La Liga side will be hopeful of overturning the deficit. Liverpool also travel to Spain midweek for the second leg of their tie, as they hold a 2-0 lead over Villarreal.

Ex-City player, now pundit, Richards expects both teams to win their remaining fixtures in the league but warns defeat to Madrid on Wednesday could hamper City in the final weeks of the season.

He told Sky Sports after the match: " You’d rather have the points on the board, of course. But we’ve seen today, sometimes it can spur you on. You never know, the Premier League is so unpredictable. Both teams will win all their remaining fixtures.

"Liverpool, with their strength in depth. There might be one slip-up. Liverpool winning today and City today, I think