It’ll take city 10-15 games to get up to speed with Haaland imo. They’re not going to create as many chances with him but they’ll probably score more of them once he gets up and running.
Anyone wishing to challenge city will need to be taking 40-42 points from the first 15 games. Liverpool did this in 19/20 and city once they saw the gap threw in the towel and concentrated on cups. Drawing city at home in the first 10 games would be an advantage too.
Liverpool having Salah/ Diaz not going to the World Cup is a huge advantage. They’ll have to go balls to the wall til the WC and use the break to load up on the inhalers.