Jonathan Woodgate has said that he believes standards in the Premier League are slipping.
The Stoke City defender insists that the fact that the likes of Stoke and Swansea City are nipping at Liverpool's heels confirms that the top flight is not what it used to be.
"I don't think the standard is as good as it has been," the 32-year-old said.
"You can tell because teams aren't too far behind Liverpool.
"Maybe the quality has gone out of the league a bit although Swansea have been unbelievable."
Stoke are currently 12th in the Premier League, four points off Liverpool.