Liverpool currently lead the way in the Premier League standings but will be wary of Arsenal and Manchester City.
Rodri has recognised Liverpool pose the biggest threat to Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes this season.
The Reds are top of the table after 20 matches played and lead Pep Guardiola’s side by five points, although the Citizens do have one game in hand.
Few had Liverpool in the conversation to take on City this campaign after a hugely disappointing 2022/23, though Jurgen Klopp has inspired an impressive revival after addressing the team’s shortcomings in the midfield department.
No strangers to going head-to-head with the Sky Blues for the Premier League crown, the same scenario could be about to play out for the third time after almighty battles in 2018/19 and 2021/22 which saw City claim top spot by a single point on the final day of both seasons.
Aware there are other teams in the mix on this occasion that have only complicated matters, Rodri told City’s official YouTube channel: “You have to see the teams we are facing: Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa now. They are top sides, that are going to be there fighting. Most of them deserve to win, others not. We have to look to ourselves, see where we can improve and don’t think much about the others. Since the first year I came here, I had the feeling that every year is not enough. You have to increase [the level] and the players coming in have to be even better.
“We have been in front, behind, we know both situations. The most important thing is to keep going ourselves and don’t think too much about who are the contenders with us. Everyone can be there because the level is so high in every game.”
Liverpool currently look the team best-placed to push Guardiola and co. all the way and will fancy their chances even more once key players such as Andy Robertson and Thiago Alcantara are added back into the equation. Of the view the Reds are the team to beat, Rodri added: “If you ask me, our real contenders are Liverpool because they have the experience of winning in the last years.
“Arsenal showed the level last year they can do and this year they have the experience they didn’t have last time. Villa, you can see how big they are coming now and the personality and ambition with which they play. It’s not easy if you are there for the first time to sustain this, but you never know. Tottenham are playing at a good level. I can tell you good things about many teams, but I would choose to be in Man City’s team,” concluded the Spanish midfielder.
