Hughton: 'Next season Liverpool will be title contenders'
Speaking ahead of Brighton's trip to Anfield, manager Chris Hughton believes Liverpool can go toe-to-toe with Manchester City next season for the Premier League title.
Brighton & Hove Albion travel to the famous Merseyside stadium on Sunday for the final day of this year's league campagin and Hughton took the opportunity to praise his impending opponents.
Liverpool beat Manchester City on route to the Champions League final, where they play Real Madrid on May 26, but have been some way off the pace in England's top division.
However, Hughton believes next season this will be very different, telling reporters: "I don't think [Liverpool] are that far behind.
"I think the only difference is that we've embarked on a season where Man City have been that good.
"If Man City are that good next season then I don't see too much difference because I don't see too much wrong with what Liverpool have done.
"I just think you've had one side that have blown everybody away so I don't think Liverpool need to do that much. They've got great options.
"I think come next season they'll be very much title contenders and I think probably all of those (top six) clubs are hoping Man City don't have the type of season next season that they had this season."