Former Liverpool midfielder Ronnie Whelan believes that the current team is finishing the season stronger than their rivals for the Premier League title.

Brendan Rodgers's side returned to the top of the table on Sunday with a 2-1 win over West Ham United at Upton Park, which was their ninth league victory in a row.

Whelan, who helped Liverpool to win their last league title in 1990, believes that the way the Reds are winning matches is a positive sign.

"You cannot fault anything they are doing, they are going out and winning game after game and doing it well," he told PA.

"The energy they are showing at the end of the season always gives you a chance in the last five games. The energy seems to be more than Chelsea and Manchester City and the other teams.

"Nine games ago we wouldn't have said we would win nine games on the trot but now there are only five more to go. I know it will be a record, winning 14 in a row, but they are playing well enough to do it."

Liverpool host title rivals Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.