James Milner has noticed Manchester United's improving form and believes Liverpool have to respond by 'kicking on' in 2021.
The defending Premier League champions head into the new year with a three-point lead at the top despite back-to-back disappointing draws against strugglers West Brom and Newcastle.
Meanwhile, their arch-rivals, who have dropped just four points since November 1, could go level on points with them with victory over Aston Villa on Friday.
'I think it's a positive (Liverpool are top) but it seems to be at this moment in time that nobody wants to take it by the scruff of the neck,' he told Liverpoolfc.