Chelsea boss Antonio Conte believes up to eight teams are serious contenders for this season's Premier League title.
The Blues face Liverpool tonight in what will be their first important pre-season friendly of the summer.
And the Italian says Jurgen Klopp's squad is one of "seven or eight teams" who will fight for the title this season.
"Liverpool is one of seven or eight teams that can fight to win the title," Conte told reporters.
"They have a good manager, they play good football with high intensity and good organisation.
"Jurgen Klopp worked already for six months with this team and I think it's very important for Liverpool to understand the ideas of Klopp.
"It's important to have the time to work.
"It's very difficult to go in during the season when a manager was sacked, it's not easy. You must transfer your idea in a quick time, it's very difficult. The last season is very important for Klopp and the players because he knows his players and they know him and his staff."
