Michael Ballack dismissed Liverpool’s Barclays Premier League title challenge yesterday and predicted a two-horse race between Chelsea and Manchester United. Only goal difference separates Liverpool from Chelsea at the top of the table, but the Germany midfield player believes that the Merseyside club are more suited to the Champions League because their squad lacks the depth to compete for the entire season.

Liverpool have won one Champions League and reached another final in four seasons under Rafael BenÍtez, but Ballack’s views will not go down well at Anfield. Liverpool have been in the top two all season and became the first side to win a league match at Stamford Bridge in 4½ years last month when they beat Chelsea 1-0.

“It’s always the big four that everyone speaks about, but it’s still about Chelsea and Man U,” Ballack said. “Arsenal are already behind, which makes it very difficult for them. Liverpool are very good at this moment, but they are always a club for the Champions League, partly because they can put all their focus on one or two matches. But when you look at results and squads over the past couple of seasons, I think us and Man U are just a little bit stronger.”

Ballack’s words got immediate backing from Jimmy Bullard, who predicted that Chelsea will win the league comfortably after playing in Fulham’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Saturday. Chelsea, held at home to Newcastle United, could not take advantage, but they did not concede any ground because Manchester United could only draw away to Aston Villa.

“We took it to Liverpool and gave it a right bash, but who do I think will win the league?” Bullard said. “Chelsea, and they’ll do it quite comfortably. Liverpool have an outstanding squad of individuals. But sometimes it’s not about individual players, it’s about the team.”

Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Chelsea manager, conceded that his team lacked a cutting edge on Saturday and blamed the stalemate on injuries despite the return of Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Ashley Cole. Scolari will have Didier Drogba, who is suspended in the league, available for the Champions League tie away to Bordeaux on Wednesday, but Deco is out, serving a one-match suspension.