Manchester City midfielder Rodri has admitted that Liverpool are "the best team in England and in Europe" as the Reds storm ahead in the Premier League title race.
Jurgen Klopp's side now hold an eight-point advantage at the second international break of the season after their closest rivals were stunned by Wolves at the Etihad Stadium.
City managed to beat Liverpool to the title by a single point last season before Klopp's men went onto win the Champions League; defeating Tottenham 2-0 in the final.
In an interview with ESPN FC while on international duty with Spain, Rodri stated that Liverpool are now City's main focus instead of Manchester United given their status under Klopp.
"I don't know," Rodri replied when asked on Liverpool or United. "I had never been in the city before, I don't know how people in the city feel.
"But the team to beat is Liverpool now and that has been seen the last two seasons. They are the champions of Europe so everyone wants to beat them, not just us.
"They're a great team, they have improved a lot of things, they're a very good team, and they're the best team in England and in Europe."
Rodri was brought to the club by Pep Guardiola as Fernandinho's long-term replacement.
The 23-year-old was signed for a £63m fee after City matched the release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.
On being a defensive midfielder in Guardiola's system, he said: "I think it's a big challenge for me because I never used to play this position particularly. I didn't have this exact role in the team.
"We have lots of offensive players and many other teams try to counterattack you and a lot of the time you're alone but it's good for me.
"I am learning new things, how to go, when to stay, when I have to do a tactical foul, when I have to jump.
"It's good for me to learn these things. And for the team it's good because we need those offensive players to be able to play our game."
Odds correct as of 1415 BST on 10/10/19
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