Rodri admits he is 'partially surprised' to see Liverpool eight points adrift of Manchester City after just seven games of the new Premier League season.
City have started well with five wins and two draws from their opening seven games, with only Arsenal boasting a better record with six wins. Liverpool — who have battled City for the title in four of the last five seasons — started slower, though, and have just nine points at this stage of the season, albeit with a game in hand.
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And City midfielder Rodri says that he is a little surprised to see Liverpool drop points in four of their six games to date, although he insisted that they are not out of the title race by any stretch.
“Only partially [surprised]," he told Gazzetta dello Sport in reply to a question about Liverpool's start. "The Premier League level is so high that as soon as you slow down, you lose points. Liverpool are not in crisis, they are just less effective, and the Premier League does not allow you to relax.”
Rodri also addressed Tottenham's title credentials, with Antonio Conte's side level on points with City having also gone seven games without defeat.
“They have put together a great squad and they have a manager who has very clear ideas and who knows how to convey them perfectly," Rodri said.
"They know what they have to do and they do it with great precision. I see Spurs as candidates for the title. Conte’s career speaks for itself.”
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