Sean Dyche identified Liverpool and Manchester City as the two real Premier League title contenders after watching his side fall to a 3-0 defeat against the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp’s men passed a tough away test with flying colours, repelling Burnley’s advances and overwhelming their defence.
In doing so, they maintained their 100% start to the season and moved two points clear at the top of the Premier League.
And based on what he witnessed, Dyche doesn’t feel the rest of the big six will be able to challenge Liverpool and City, set apart by their ruthlessness.
“Tottenham have strong moments, they can hurt you,” he said after the match, as quoted by the Echo. “Arsenal are still in transition and then there’s Chelsea.
“They are all very good and effective but I do think these (Liverpool) and Man City are the best.
“If you turn the ball over in a bad area, the number of times they capitalise or at the very least get a chance and change the flow of the game and mentality of the game…”
Dyche says Burnley looked to exploit the high defensive line Liverpool have employed in their early matches, but the visitors were able to cope well when they went direct.
Ultimately, he accepts that it was a case of the better side punishing his team’s mistakes.
“We know they are playing a much higher back line which we wanted to affect and we did early on when Woody (Chris Wood) was in, and there were numerous other times when we had near things,” he explained.
“But Liverpool were clinical, no taking away from that. They were very, very clinical and very good on transitions.
“We gave the ball away in so many positions and you can’t do that against these.”