Rio Ferdinand has praised Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool's summer recruitment which has seen the club challenge for the Premier League title.
The Reds are currently top of the league standings after their victory over Burnley at the weekend. The 3-1 win at Anfield saw Liverpool move back to two points clear of Manchester City and Arsenal at the Premier League summit.
Liverpool had a busy summer transfer window last year with a midfield overhaul, with Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister all being signed by the Reds. Five first-team players left the club from midfield, including club captain Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabinho.
Ferdinand has admitted that he is surprised to see Liverpool challenging Man City and Arsenal for the league title this season. The Reds finished 22 points behind Pep Guardiola's team last term in fifth place, and Ferdinand has credited the work from Klopp and the Liverpool recruitment team for closing the gap within just 12 months.
Mohamed Salah hands Liverpool huge injury boost
Liverpool Notebook - FSG face new Anfield development question and Trent Alexander-Arnold injury wait
"I didn’t expect to see Liverpool up there and doing what they are doing and being top of the league," Ferdinand told TNT Sports.
"I thought they would get in the Champions League, I didn’t think they would be pushing Manchester City again. I thought it was going to be Arsenal that would be going toe to toe with Manchester City.
"But, it just goes to show the recruitment they [Liverpool] have done and the manager that (Jurgen) Klopp is that they are back in it now."
Liverpool have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League
Read on liverpoolecho.co.uk