Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes that the Premier League title race will likely come down to two teams during the run-in.

While he was at pains to say that reigning champions Manchester City should not be written off following the defeat to Aston Villa on Wednesday night, Klopp did go on to remark that he still expects it to be a two-horse race for top spot:

“It was the last years, always two. I’m not interested in that [who will be involved in the title race], so long as we’re around there. But it’s so difficult and intense. Ask me again in April.”

After the midweek round of matches, Liverpool are two points behind Arsenal, having secured a 2-0 win over Sheffield United, with City now four points adrift of the Reds.

The festive period could decide which clubs are title contenders

Jurgen Klopp’s side will have five Premier League games between now and the New Year, which include home games against Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle.

With fixtures in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup coming up as well, the Reds have an intense 23 days starting with the away clash versus Crystal Palace on Saturday lunchtime.

The bookies still make City favourites for the title

Despite the fact that Pep Guardiola’s team have slipped to fourth in the table as we near the midway point of the season, the bookmakers are definitely not writing off their chances of winning the league.

Sky Bet still have City at 21/20 to finish top, with Arsenal at 9/4 and Liverpool 10/3. Of course, those odds could shift drastically between now and January, but it’s clear that many, like Klopp, don’t think the current champions are out of contention just yet.

Does Klopp know his best Liverpool XI? Watch our pundits discuss the issue on Shots!TV here