Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger thinks that Liverpool should be taken more seriously as a genuine threat to win the title race.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has set Liverpool up with a good run in for the title crown after winning six of their last eight league games which included a 5-1 win over Arsenal up on Merseyside.
Currently Liverpool trail leaders Chelsea by just four points and are just three points behind second-place Arsenal.
Wenger feels that the way Liverpool is currently playing along with no European matches to worry about makes the Reds a true challenger for the league title telling Sky Sports.
“It’s very tight at the top, Liverpool are in the race, and they have an advantage as it is the only competition they play,” said Wenger.
The Arsenal boss is challenging his team to remain focussed as they travel up to the Britannia Stadium for what they know will be a tough match against Stoke City.
“I hope it will be tight until the end, because then it will be interesting and if you are consistent then you have a chance to win,” said the Frenchman.
“You need to be at your best to find the resources to win games, this is a big game for us and of course this weekend we just want to focus on the three points.
“We got the three points against Sunderland who are a tricky team, so we want to do it again.
“We have to look at our results, just focus on that and not speculate too much because we’re in a period where we have to move forward.”
Wenger is hoping that his side will have better success than in previous meetings with the Potters now that the club is managed by Mark Hughes.
“We had some bad memories but also some good ones as well,” said Wenger. “It’s a stadium where before, first of all the pitch was narrow and difficult to play, a bit more open to the wind.
“But recently we have shown as well it’s down to the performance on the day. If you perform on Saturday that’s all that counts.
“Yes it probably is better for us now though, because we went sometimes to Stoke, who had a rough style, we had young players and it was difficult.
“But they have good players, they have done well in the league, they qualified for the Europa league. So they are a real challenge.
“Every manager has his own style, he (Hughes) has experience and has shown he can do well. Given time he will print his own style of play.”
