Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson says it's tougher defending their title than last season's triumph.
The Reds have been top of the table over Christmas.
But Henderson warned: "Very difficult. I knew that would be the case. When you win a trophy, retaining it is even harder and I think it will be very difficult, but we knew that at the start of the season.
"There are other teams that are improving, playing well and will challenge right until the end of the season I'm sure.
"Obviously it's a bit unique this season with what is going on with the pandemic.
"It's different circumstances but at the end of the day it's about us focusing on what we can control and that's training as hard as we possibly can, keeping focused on what we want to achieve and when we play give everything for the three points - and that's what we try and do every game no matter what competition it is.
"That's put us in good stead over the past few years so we just need to continue that and see where we are at the end of the season."
