​Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has predicted that Liverpool will be right up with the title race in the coming season, speaking ahead of the Premier League's opening weekend.





Liverpool slumped to sixth place last season after their title challenge in 2013/14, but have spent a lot of money over the summer trying to improve on that disappointing performance.





In an interview with ​Marca, Mata was asked who he thought his side's main title rivals would be next season, and replied: "All of them. City are packed with quality; Chelsea are extremely competitive, Arsenal play great football, Liverpool are going to be up there..."





He also claimed in the interview that his best memory at Old Trafford was his brace in last season's memorable game against the Reds, helping his side to a 2-1 victory after a Daniel Sturridge-inspired comeback almost saw Brendan Rodgers' side snatch a point.





That game was also, of course, memorable for Steven Gerrard's second-half red card, which came for his stamp on Mata's countryman Ander Herrera just 38 seconds after his introduction to the game as a half-time substitute.





Mata's Manchester United side failed to hit top gear in the season's opening match against Spurs, winning 1-0 thanks to a Kyle Walker own goal.





Pundits' predictions for Liverpool's season have varied wildly over the summer, with opinions from 'going nowhere fast' to 'definitely title challengers' being thrown around.





Jose Mourinho has been one who predicted a strong season for Liverpool, saying: "I believe us and four other teams - Liverpool, Arsenal, Man United and Man City - can win title."





While former Red Jamie Redknapp was less optimistic, saying: "Liverpool have signed some good players and I hope my old club can reach the top four but it will probably need one of the other big clubs to under-perform significantly for it to happen.”





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