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Liverpool have been backed to be Manchester City's closest challengers for the Premier League title – because of their completely different style of play.

The Reds are being tipped, along with Tottenham Hotspur, as the biggest threat to the champions after their best start to a top-flight season in 24 years.

Liverpool inflicted one of only two Premier League defeats on City last season and also beat them home and away in the Champions League quarter-final.

And former Manchester United defender Gerard Pique, who won a succession of honours at Barcelona under current City boss Pep Guardiola, has suggested Liverpool's strength under Jurgen Klopp is through following a different template.

“I think Jurgen is doing a great job at Liverpool,” said Pique. “Because the style of play is the opposite of Guardiola.

(Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

“They really like to counter-attack and have really quick players up front and score goals with (Mohamed) Salah, (Roberto) Firmino and (Sadio) Mane.”

Asked about the Premier League title race, Pique added: “We will see, it will be challenging for Man City, because Liverpool have a great team and I think it will be quite exciting.

“I think City are a little bit favourites, but you never know. (In the) Premier League, anything can happen.”

Pique was speaking at a special PokerStars European Poker Tour event in Barcelona, where stars were playing for their nominated charities.