Liverpool legend John Aldridge believes that the Reds' 5-0 win away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday was a "massive statement" to the rest of the Premier League.
Victory for Brendan Rodgers's side against Cardiff City on Saturday will send them top of the table, and the former striker said that the emphatic win against Spurs would have made the rest of the division take notice.
Aldridge wrote in his Liverpool Echo column: "To beat Tottenham 5-0 at White Hart Lane without two of our best players sends out a massive statement. It was a complete performance from Liverpool and the best we've played under Brendan Rodgers.
"What a massive result. The last time we did that to a top side away from home was when we won 4-1 (against Manchester United) at Old Trafford in March 2009.
"Sunday's victory proves we are genuine top four contenders. I know we're only two points off the top but I don't believe we are title contenders. We've got to be realistic."
Meanwhile, striker Luis Suarez has played down talk of winning the title.
