Liverpool boss Arne Slot says his side must prove themselves against tougher opposition this season if they are to be considered in the fight for the Premier League title alongside Manchester City and Arsenal.

The Reds have enjoyed a successful start to life under Slot so far, recording wins from five of their six opening league games and climbing towards the top of the Premier League table in the process.

Despite their optimistic start to the campaign, Liverpool boss Slot insists his side must prove themselves in upcoming tough fixtures.

“I know how good we are but we still have to prove things,” he told reporters. “The fixtures that are coming after the international break [Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton and Aston Villa] are tougher fixtures than we have now.

“But one thing I’ve noticed in the Premier League compared to the league I have come from is that every team has a few players who cost £40m-£50m and have a lot of quality. I know every manager says there are no easy games in the Premier League but it is true.

“It is always difficult to judge the league table after six or seven games. If you look at Wolves they were really unlucky playing Arsenal, Newcastle, Chelsea and Villa. That is a different fixture list than the one we had.

“I don’t mind if they underestimate or overestimate us. The situation is Manchester City have taken 31 points more than us in the last two seasons and we’re trying to close that gap. They [Liverpool’s 2023/24 side] came closer last season than the season before and now we are trying even harder to close the gap.”

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