EPL:  Van Dijk has admitted Manchester City and Arsenal are their toughest opponents

Liverpool defender, Virgil van Dijk, has admitted Manchester City and Arsenal are their toughest opponents in the Premier League title race.

The Reds are currently top of the table ahead of City and the Gunners.

Chasing Pep Guardiola’s team is far from unfamiliar territory for Van Dijk and his team-mates.

Liverpool won the league in 2020, but have twice been denied the title by City despite earning more than 90 points.

Arsenal’s evolution under Mikel Arteta saw a three-way title race develop last season until Jurgen Klopp’s side fell off.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Van Dijk was asked about his toughest opponents and named Liverpool’s two closest title rivals.

He said: “I would say in this case then the City and Arsenal, especially from last year, it’s always tough against them,” he said.

“You know that if you’re not focused for a second or slip up or whatever, you could get punished immediately.”