Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Liverpool can “definitely” challenge Arsenal and Man City for the Premier League title if their defence can restore their “frightening” reputation this season.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted Dominik Szoboszlai has been one of the “signings of the summer” – but urged fellow midfielder Alexis Mac Allister to “wake up”.

Liverpool have picked up 16 points from a possible 18 to start the Premier League season and beat West Ham 3-1 on Sunday (24 September).

Their only dropped points came in the season-opening draw away at Chelsea – despite losing Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate to suspension and injury respectively in recent weeks.

Both players have since returned to the matchday squad.

Liverpool last won the Premier League in the 2019-20 season, beating Man City by 18 points to lift the English top-flight for the first time since 1990.

The Reds will also play Europa League football this term and beat LASK in their opening group match last week.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think Liverpool can definitely challenge Arsenal and Man City. Their squad looks very good at the moment.”

“Defensively, that’s the only question for me at the moment.

“Szoboszlai has been one of the signings of the summer. I can’t believe how quick he is for a central midfielder.

“He’s very good technically, very high energy.

“Mac Allister has to wake up. He’s not showing the standard of performance we saw in the World Cup.

“I think Liverpool have got to get Van Dijk and Konate up to speed again and get back to that defensive unit that people were afraid of a couple of years ago.

“They were frightening, teams were scared to attack them when they looked at the back four.”

In other news, Liverpool told what it will take to sign defender amid “huge” reveal.