Everton manager Ronald Koeman has risked the ire of Toffees fans by claiming that cityrivals Liverpool can win the Premier League this season, with the Dutchman revealing thatthe Reds have proven their credentials thus far.
Koeman was speaking toESPNwhen he said, "It's still too early to say who will be the favourites, but I have been impressed by Liverpool so far."
The Reds currently sit top of the Premier Leaguecrop and are one point clear of Chelsea, while Everton are down in seventh with two wins off of a top four spot.
The former Barcelona player knows it's not what the Everton fans want to hear, but Koeman has acknowledged their outstanding start.
He added:"Maybe that is not what you might expect the Everton manager to say, but they have been playing some very good football and deserve to be at the top. They have goals in their team and this is what all successful sides need."
The two Merseyside clubs meet on the 19th of December in Koeman's first Merseyside derby, with his chargeshaving lost 5-0 to Chelsea in their last fixture, but the former Southampton managerstill thinks the Reds are top dogs this year:
"My Everton team has played Manchester City and Chelsea in the last few weeks and both were very impressive. We managed to draw at City, but you could see the quality of these teams."
Speaking onManchester United and theirstuttering start under Jose Mourinho, Koeman said that the Red Devilscould not be ruled out yet in the title race:
"United have a new manager and they will improve in what is an unpredictable Premier League season. People expect someone like this with such a big record to win games instantly, but it is not so easy. Of course they can come back because they have some top players and a very good manager."
Koeman ended by talking about his own club,revealing that thelong-term project is tobe challenging for a European spot:
"The ambition this season will be challenging for European football. We have introduced some new players last summer and it takes time to find the right balance in the team and to find consistency, but I feel it is not far away."