The Montenegro international has impressed in pre-season for Manuel Pellegrini’s side but believes their rivals from Merseyside need to replace Luis Suarez

Manchester City’s Stevan Jovetic believes Liverpool need to add strikers to their squad if they are to challenge for the Premier League title.

Following the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, Brendan Rodgers has been on the lookout for a new forward, though the Reds were forced to pull out of a move for Loic Remy after issues with his medical.

They have since been linked with Radamel Falcao and Samuel Eto’o, though time is running out for them to bring in any new faces in attack ahead of Southampton’s visit to Anfield on August 17.

And Jovetic, who scored five times in pre-season for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, believes the Merseyside outfit require further reinforcements up front if they are to compete with the rest of the league’s established sides.

“This year is going to be more difficult than last year,” he told reporters.

“[Manchester] United will be much better, Arsenal are stronger and Chelsea with three or four players they have bought, will be better.

“Liverpool are also good, they are strong now and, if buy some strikers, they will also be in the title race.

“I expect a really tough season, but we need to believe in ourselves and hopefully we are going to win the league again.”

The Montenegro international had been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium, with Juventus rumoured to be interested in his services, but some fine showings during the Blues’ tour of the USA have brought him back into favour.

And the 24-year-old is keen to hit the ground running after an injury-hit campaign in 2013-14 saw him start just two league matches under Pellegrini.

“I had a good pre-season, now I can’t wait to get started. Last season I was injured a lot and that was the number one problem,” Jovetic explained.

“But in the final three or four months, it was fine and I was playing. This year it is going to be better.”