The Toffees boss is refusing to let local rivalries get in the way of his prediction that the Reds can sustain a challenge for the English top-flight crown
Ronald Koeman may be in charge of Liverpool’s arch-rivals Everton, but he has tipped the Reds to sustain a challenge for the Premier League title.
Jurgen Klopp has guided his troops to the top of the table, with a one-point advantage held over the chasing pack.
There is a long way to go, with the battle to secure domestic dominance still 27 games from being won.
“It’s still too early to say who will be the favourites, but I have been impressed by Liverpool so far,” he told ESPN FC.
“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.”
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Everton are currently perched eight points adrift of Liverpool in seventh place and are still searching for consistency under a new management regime.
Things have progressed positively enough to this point, but only one Premier League victory has been taken from their last seven outings and they will be hoping to kick on again after the international break.
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Liverpool are, however, looking like serious contenders, with an attack-minded philosophy delivering handsome rewards.
They are the top scorers in the division, with 30 goals netted in just 11 outings, and have the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane performing at the peak of their powers.
Koeman acknowledges that he really should not be talking up the title claims of an old adversary, but the Dutchman has been so impressed by events across Stanley Park that it would be wrong of him to ignore the Anfield charge.
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