Atletico Madrid midfielder Luis Garcia expects former club Liverpool to challenge for the Premiership.
"The team and the squad is getting stronger each year, and I am sure that (manager) Rafa Benitez deep down believes he can take the team closer to the league this season even though he may never show it publicly," said Garcia.
"I have watched and you can see the team growing, If they continue in this way they could win the league."
He added: "When I first joined, Chelsea were far better than us, the gap is closing and Liverpool can now win the league."