Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed that Manchester City are favourites to retain the Premier League title this season after clinching their second in three years back in May.

Manuel Pellegrini's side finished two points above second-placed Liverpool last season, and the two teams are preparing to go head to head this evening at the Etihad Stadium.

While Rodgers thinks that City should be favourites for the crown, the Northern Irishman is wary of the threat from Chelsea and Arsenal.

"City are the champions and I think you have to regard them as favourites for the title," Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo. "They'll probably look at themselves and think with the squad they've got and the additions they've made they'll expect to be up there.

"Chelsea will be strong and Arsenal have strengthened so it's looking like being a really competitive league this season."

Liverpool began their 2014-15 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Southampton last weekend.