Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman has claimed the Reds and Manchester City have set a high standard in recent years when it comes to winning the Premier League.
The last four titles have been won by the two clubs, with City winning three and the Reds claiming a solitary triumph in the 2019/20 season.
Pep Guardiola’s side recorded a remarkable century of points, that Liverpool came close to matching in the season that they won the title.
However, despite the impressive form of Jurgen Klopp's side in recent season's not many have tipped them to win the title.
McManaman explained why the Reds have been overlooked as contenders despite the fact they’re on a similar level to City.
"Maybe because they were quiet in the transfer window," he said during the post-match analysis on BT Sport after Liverpool beat Watford 5-0 on Saturday lunchtime.
"I’ve always put them alongside Manchester City this season because they’ve set the bar high Liverpool.
"Liverpool and Manchester City are the only teams to get to 100, 99, 97 - 99 points Liverpool got [in 2019/20].
"Everyone around them has to get to that point, the teams that Liverpool and Manchester City have, have gotten to 100 and 99 points.
"I know Chelsea have added [Romelu] Lukaku in which is an improvement to their squad and they will be better. United have spent more so they’ll probably be better.
"But you still have to get to the bar that Liverpool and Manchester City have set. So they should be the standard bearers straight away.
"I don’t know why, at the end of the season we could be way, way wrong but that is the level to get to.
"The fact people haven’t spoken about them is probably because of the inactivity in the transfer window."
Despite just making one addition to their squad during the summer, the Reds currently sit second in the table a point off leaders Chelsea and remain the only unbeaten side in the league so far this season.
