Steve Sidwell expects Liverpool Football Club to challenge for the title this season.

The Reds suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the campaign, whilst in the summer they lost key midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Sidwell and his Aston Villa pals travel to Anfield on Monday to take on the Merseyside club, and the midfielder has shrugged off suggestions Rafael Benitez’s side are no longer a serious threat.

"They will be challenging for the title. They have always been a top-four side. Last year was the closest they have been to winning the league for a while,” he is quoted on skysports.com.

"They will take confidence from that. Steven Gerrard is one of the biggest match-winning players in the Premier League. I am sure they will run Manchester United and Chelsea close."