'If Man City lose at Liverpool next week the title has gone for them'

BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Stephan asked: Do you think Manchester City are experiencing a temporary post-success comedown, in the same way that Liverpool had a less than stellar season following their quadruple-chasing season? It is difficult to keep the same level sustained for so long, mentally let alone physically.

Phil answered: There is something in that because even the greatest teams and players will find it difficult to maintain the intensity and success Manchester City have enjoyed for so long. Their standards have been so incredibly high that any drop off, particularly the sort we are seeing now, will come under fierce scrutiny.

I do also think the time comes when any team, whether it is Manchester City or as Jurgen Klopp did at Liverpool with his so-called "Liverpool 2.0" at the start of last season, needs a refresh and perhaps City are at that stage now.

Their squad is full of quality but also has a lot of players in their 30s - Kyle Walker (34), Ilkay Gundogan (34), Kevin De Bruyne (33) among others.

The good news is that Pep Guardiola will be there for the next two years to oversee any transition.

And no... I am not writing them off winning prizes this season. They are too good to dismiss lightly - although I think if they lose at Liverpool next week the title has gone for them.