Koeman rates Liverpool's title chances

Ronald Koeman has tipped Liverpool to go very close in the Premier League title race.

The Reds have a one-point lead over their rivals at the top of the Premier League table after scoring 30 goals in their first 11 games of the season.

Koeman has been impressed with their start to the campaign and he believes they can maintain their challenge, although the Everton manager has refused to say if they will end the season as champions.

"It’s still too early to say who will be the favourites, but I have been impressed by Liverpool so far,” Koeman said.

“Maybe that is not what you might expect the Everton manager to say, but they have been playing some very good football and deserve to be at the top. They have goals in their team and this is what all successful sides need.

“Of course they can be champions this season, they have a good chance, but they are not the only contenders.”

Everton, who are eight points behind Liverpool in seventh, drew with Manchester City earlier this season before suffering a 5-0 hammering at Chelsea before the international break and Koeman was impressed with both teams.

"My Everton team has played Manchester City and Chelsea in the last few weeks and both were very impressive. We managed to draw at City, but you could see the quality of these teams," he told ESPN FC.

"Then we all know what happened at Chelsea, as we lost 5-0 and they put in a very good performance. It was difficult for us, but you have to be impressed from their side, so maybe they can also have a chance."

Setanta Sports is now eir Sport. We have 6 great channels of live sport including eir Sport 1 & 2 and all 4 BT Sport channels. The eir Sport pack is free to all eir broadband customers. To learn more about setting sport free visit www.eir.ie/sport .