Kevin De Bruyne believes Manchester City's title chances hinge on their games against their main rivals at the top of the table.
City emphatically defeated Liverpool 5-0 at the Etihad on Saturday to lay down a marker to their challengers for the Premier League title.
Pep Guardiola's side largely struggled against their key rivals last season - taking just 11 points from their games against Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton.
De Bruyne admits City need to improve their form against the bigger sides if they are to challenge for the title this term.
"The only thing we didn't do last year was win the big games," said the Belgium international.
"I thought we deserved to win a few more games than we did, especially at home, like the ones against Tottenham and Chelsea.
"It makes a difference - that's five or six points extra and they are losing those points so then you are closer together."
After a disappointing debut campaign in English football, Guardiola spent more than £200m reinforcing his squad ahead of the new season - bringing in Kyle Walker, Danilo and Benjamin Mendy.
De Bruyne believes the new arrivals could prove to be the difference as City chase their first Premier League title since the 2013-14 season.
"The guys who have come in have a very physical quality, they are very strong, very pacy. They make the pitch big, that is a quality of them and it is difficult for the other teams," he said.
"To go around (Benjamin) Mendy and Kyle (Walker) you need to have a lot of trickery and pace and even then they can run back. That is the difference with last year."