Brendan Rodgers: Premier League title is Man City's to lose

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists Manchester City are favourites to win the Premier League this season, despite seeing his side beat Cardiff 3-1 and go top of the table.

The Reds lead City by one point ahead of their Boxing Day trip to Etihad Stadium but could be overtaken if Arsenal beat Chelsea on Monday.

Rodgers said: "I still believe the title is Manchester City's to lose.

"They have the strongest squad. The resources they have are incredible."

Arsenal need to win on Monday to reclaim top spot. A Chelsea victory would put them level on points with Liverpool, although they have a far inferior goal difference to their Anfield rivals.

If Liverpool top the table at Christmas, it would be the first time they have done so since 2008-09, when they went on to finish second. The last time the Reds were top at Christmas and won the league was in the 1987-88 season.

Liverpool beat Cardiff courtesy of a Luis Suarez brace as he took his tally for the season to 19 goals in the league in just 12 games. The Uruguay striker, who agreed a new deal on Friday, also set up Raheem Sterling for the other goal.

Rodgers, whose side finished seventh in his first campaign in charge last season, says there is still work to do.

"We can't ever think we have cracked it," he said. "We can't become complacent. You have to be focused and move on to the next game.

"We are very calm. We are not getting carried away. We are focusing on improving our performance level.

"We know the natural consequence will be to win games and if you win games you will be in a good position."