Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Liverpool are genuine contenders for this season's Premier League title.
Brendan Rodgers' side have propelled themselves into the top four courtesy of a run of six wins in eight league matches in 2014, which included a 5-1 victory over Wenger's side at Anfield.
They trail league leaders Chelsea by four points and are three behind the second-placed Gunners.And Wenger feels that the confidence from this run, coupled with them being unburdened by European football, means Liverpool are in the running to be champions.
"It's very tight at the top, Liverpool are in the race, and they have an advantage as it is the only competition they play," said Wenger.
Arsenal face Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday and are keen to build on their resounding 4-1 win over Sunderland last weekend.
Wenger is challenging his squad to find some consistency to maintain their own challenge in what he thinks will be one of the tightest title races in years."I hope it will be tight until the end, because then it will be interesting and if you are consistent then you have a chance to win," said the Frenchman.
"You need to be at your best to find the resources to win games, this is a big game for us and of course this weekend we just want to focus on the three points.
"We got the three points against Sunderland who are a tricky team, so we want to do it again.
"We have to look at our results, just focus on that and not speculate too much because we're in a period where we have to move forward."
Arsenal have struggled at times at the Britannia where Stoke, under the guidance of former boss Tony Pulis, often out-muscled the Gunners.However, Wenger feels his side may have greater success against the Potters now they are managed by Mark Hughes, who has looked to expand on Pulis' regimented game-plan.
"We had some bad memories but also some good ones as well," said Wenger. "It's a stadium where before, first of all the pitch was narrow and difficult to play, a bit more open to the wind.
"But recently we have shown as well it's down to the performance on the day. If you perform on Saturday that's all that counts.However, Wenger feels his side may have greater success against the Potters now they are managed by Mark Hughes, who has looked to expand on Pulis' regimented game-plan.
"We had some bad memories but also some good ones as well," said Wenger. "It's a stadium where before, first of all the pitch was narrow and difficult to play, a bit more open to the wind.
"But recently we have shown as well it's down to the performance on the day. If you perform on Saturday that's all that counts."Yes it probably is better for us now though, because we went sometimes to Stoke, who had a rough style, we had young players and it was difficult.
"But they have good players, they have done well in the league, they qualified for the Europa league. So they are a real challenge.
"Every manager has his own style, he (Hughes) has experience and has shown he can do well. Given time he will print his own style of play."
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has been handed a two-game touchline ban for the critical comments he made about the referee following last week's Champions League loss to Barcelona.
And European governing body UEFA also announced that a further one-match ban for the manager will be suspended for two years.
City were beaten 2-0 by Barca at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of a Champions League last-16 tie.
And the match turned on an incident in the 54th minute when Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson sent off Martin Demichelis for a penalty-box foul on Lionel Messi, who got up to score the spot-kick and put the visitors 1-0 up.
After the match, Pellegrini was scathing about Eriksson's performance and said: "From the beginning, I felt the referee was not impartial to both teams.
"He decided the game with a foul that he didn't whistle against (on Jesus Navas) and a penalty with Demichelis that was not a penalty, it was outside the box.
"I think it was not a good idea to put a referee from Sweden in charge of such an important match, and a referee who made an important mistake against Barcelona in a previous match (Eriksson turned down strong Barca penalty claims during a 2012 game at AC Milan). Today, he arranged it."
Boss apologises for comments
Pellegrini recovered his poise a couple of days later and expressed remorse for his remarks, saying: "When you lose the game in the way we did, you are angry and frustrated.
"I am sure this is a good referee, because UEFA is always evaluating all the referees and, if he is not a good referee, he is not in the UEFA staff.
"Maybe I said something that I don't think. I apologise for what I said."
However, hours after issuing the apology, he was charged by UEFA for "violation of the general principles of conduct".
And the Chilean boss will start his two-match ban when his team plays the second leg in Spain on 12 March, with the suspended game to be imposed if he breaches the misconduct rules again in the next two years.
A UEFA statement read: "UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body has banned Manchester City FC head coach Manuel Pellegrini for three UEFA competition games, one of which is under probation for two years.
"This means that Pellegrini may follow the game from the stands only. He may not enter the dressing room, tunnel or technical area before or during the match, and he may not communicate directly or indirectly with his players and/or technical staff during the game."
Pellegrini has the right of appeal against his punishment.
The Atletico Madrid man is set to make his debut for the reigning world champions, while Juan Mata and Fernando
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has included Brazil-born striker Diego Costa in his squad for next week's international friendly against Italy.
The Atletico Madrid attacker previously represented the Selecao at international level, but can switch allegiances as he had yet to play for the Confederations Cup winners in an official game.
Del Bosque has also called up Bayern Munich defensive midfielder Thiago Alcantara for Wednesday's encounter, while his FCB team-mate Javi Martinez has also made the cut.
"This is the squad for the game against Italy and does not mean anything for the World Cup," Del Bosque stated at a press conference.
"Costa is in it because of what he has done with Atletico Madrid. Thiago has been doing very well at Bayern. He faces stiff competition in midfield there, but has become a starter.
Meanwhile, Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata and Juventus striker Fernando Llorente have both been left out, with Carles Puyol and David Villa being ignored by Del Bosque, too.
"We have a lot of respect for Llorente and really value him, like a lot of other players who didn't make it this time.
"We are not writing off Puyol. We do not have any doubts about him when he's fit and plays regularly."
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Casillas (Real Madrid), Reina (Napoli), Valdes (Barcelona)
Defenders: Alba (Barcelona), Albiol (Napoli), Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico
Madrid), Martinez (Bayern Munich), Ramos (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Alonso (Real Madrid), Busquets, Fabregas, Iniesta, Xavi (All Barcelona), Cazorla (Arsenal), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Thiago (Bayern Munich)
Attackers: Costa (Atletico Madrid), Pedro (Barcelona) Navas, Negredo, Silva (All Manchester City)Llorente miss out
The Nigerian football federation today unveiled a brand new jersey for the 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil.
The jersey, which will be officially launched on March 5th when the Nigerian national team meets Mexico in a pre-world cup friendly taking place in Atlanta, Georgia
Head of the marketing department, Mr. Adama Idris has described the jersey as a 'climacool' designed to fit into all weather as the Brazilian weather changes over time depending on location.
The colour of the jersey is lemon green, a totally different one from the green color typically associated with the Nigerian national flag.
Nicolas Anelka has been banned for five games and fined £80,000 after being found guilty of aggravated misconduct over his 'quenelle' gesture.
An independent regulatory commission ruled the West Brom striker was guilty of breaching the Football Association's code of conduct when he celebrated a goal at West Ham in December by making the gesture.
And the panel upheld the FA's charge that his rule breach "included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief."
Anelka has been ordered to attend an education programme and will miss games against Manchester United, Swansea, Hull, Cardiff and Norwich at a time when Albion are fighting relegation from the Premier League.
A five-match suspension is the minimum penalty for aggravated misconduct, and the 34-year-old has seven days to appeal once the commission's written reasons for the decision have been published.
The 'quenelle' gesture, popularised by a French comedian and friend of Anelka, has been linked with anti-Semitism by some French politicians.
But the commission made it clear it "did not find that Nicolas Anelka is an anti-Semite or that he intended to express or promote anti-Semitism by his use of the quenelle."
And Anelka has always maintained his actions were "anti-establishment" rather than motivated by race or religion.
Didier Deschamps has opted to ring the chances for next week's friendly by leaving out a trio of big names and calling up two previously uncapped players
Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Eric Abidal have been left out of France's 24-man squad to face Netherlands next Wednesday.
Didier Deschamps has opted to ring the changes, with the uncapped pair of Antoine Griezmann and Lucas Digne handed call-ups, along with Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, who wins just his second cap.
France squad:
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Stephane Ruffier
Defenders: Patrice Evra, Bacary Sagna, Mathieu Debuchy, Mamadou Sakho, Raphaël Varane, Laurent Koscielny, Lucas Digne, Eliaquim Mangala
Midfielders: Paul Pogba, Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi, Mathieu Valbuena, Antoine Griezmann, Dimitri Payet, Clement Grenier, Rio Mavuba, Moussa Sissoko, Franck Ribery
Forwards: Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud, Loic Remy
