Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed that he is only focused on life at Anfield, rather than taking any notice of developments at the club's Premier League rivals.
Despite claiming the Champions League trophy in June, there remains a desire at the club to end a lengthy wait for the English top-flight crown, which has now spanned 29 years.
However, while acknowledging the level of Manchester City's achievements last season, Klopp has insisted that it was a result of Liverpool's own fine form from the start of August.
Speaking to reporters in the United States, Klopp said: "I am completely focused on Liverpool. Completely. It would be great if we could be around Man City again because that's the only possibility to have to pass them. It is already clear they are the big favourite again. No problem with that.
"They have a very good situation, which they showed last year especially after having 100 points in the season before - the greed they showed, the determination they showed, it was just impressive.
"I don't think they would have had 98 points if we wouldn't have been around - and we would not have had 97 points if Man City wouldn't have been around. We chased each other through the season, put each other under pressure and that led to that."
Liverpool continue their pre-season schedule with a game against Borussia Dortmund on Friday night.
Darren Plant
