Jason McAteer believes Liverpool's position at the top of the Premier League flatters their efforts so far this season — but is still encouraged by their progress.

The former Red, who featured 139 times for the Merseysiders between 1995-99, insists Jurgen Klopp's side have work to do to hit the heights of the team that won the Premier League in 2020.

And after they failed to pick up maximum points from draws with Manchester United and Arsenal in recent weeks, the beIN Sports pundit has Manchester City down as his title favourites.

He said: "It's certainly not the [Liverpool] team from three or four years ago.

"I think their position in the league flatters them a little bit. The performances are hit-and-miss at the minute.

"You can't keep winning from a losing position. They keep doing it and it will come back to bite them on the backside eventually.

"You have to remember there's been a rebuild in the summer and you never know how quickly players are going to settle into the team and perform.

"It's a team full of quality and I'm happy with what I'm seeing — but City are going to get better and Liverpool are going to have to put their foot on the pedal to keep up."

No Mo, no problem

Liverpool's FA Cup tie at Arsenal on Sunday will be their first of a run of matches without Mohamed Salah, who is representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

But while his absence has long been feared by Reds fans, McAteer is not overly concerned.

He said: "Liverpool lost Mo in January 2022 and won seven out of eight games.

"As much as we do look at him as Liverpool's talisman, there are players who can play in that area. Harvey Elliott can play higher up on the right or Luis Diaz could play over there.

"You've got Diogo Jota coming back to fitness and maybe Darwin Nunez could do with a breather and being taken out the firing line of being central.

"Salah misses a maximum of four league games so hopefully there is enough to cope for those matches and against Fulham in the Carabao Cup."

Magic of the Cup

McAteer fulfilled a career dream by representing Liverpool in the 1996 FA Cup final despite their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.

And while the former Republic of Ireland international accepts the competition is no longer the elite clubs' biggest priority, he believes there will be some magic in the air during third round weekend.

He said: "For lower-league teams, the third round of the Cup is still a big pull when the big boys enter.

"Top players may not come into it now until the fifth round, quarter-final or even semi-final but they still enjoy it.

"Playing cup finals is brilliant as a player. And look at Manchester United, winning the Carabao Cup last season papered over loads of cracks because it's a big day."

Liverpool's trip to Arsenal may not typify the third round but McAteer still expects the visitors to take it seriously.

He said: "Jurgen loves the FA Cup. I'm going to say Liverpool will win."