Steven Gerrard says Liverpool will be ‘well aware’ of the threat of five other clubs ahead of next season’s Premier League title race.
Gerrard’s former club made light work of last season’s title race, finishing 10 points ahead of their nearest rivals as they clinched the English league title for the 20th time.
Many pundits tipped Liverpool to struggle following Jurgen Klopp’s emotional departure but Arne Slot’s side secured the Premier League trophy with four games to spare.
Gerrard says Liverpool will be ‘the team to catch’ again next season but believes they could face competition from up to five rivals.
‘It’s the most difficult league in the world,’ Gerrard, who failed to win the Premier League during his 17-year spell at Anfield, told TNT Sports.
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‘Liverpool will be well aware that Man City are going to come back, Arsenal are looking stronger again, the likes of Chelsea are building nicely, Newcastle, Aston Villa are coming in behind.
‘Liverpool will be well aware that they’re going to be the ones that are hunted now. But evidence suggests that Liverpool are going to be strong in the transfer market, so Liverpool are the team to catch for sure.’
Gerrard, one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, is particularly ‘wary’ of a potentially resurgent Manchester City following their drop-off last season.
He added: ‘I think you’ve got to be wary of Man City and Guardiola, who is the best manager in the world.
‘They’ve done it four years on the spin, they lost Rodri, which was a big blow to them.
‘I think with a fully fit squad, and they’re going to recruit as well, the team that finishes above City will win it again and hopefully, that’s Liverpool.’
Liverpool’s hopes of retaining the Premier League trophy have been boosted by Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk signing new deals at the club.
Salah, Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold all entered the final few months of their contracts at Anfield but only Alexander-Arnold will be leaving this summer.
‘They’re two very important players,’ Gerrard said on Salah and Van Dijk. ‘Both world-class, both in peak condition.
‘It was so important, arguably going to be the two most important signings in the next three to four years, because we want to continue to build on this league now and hopefully post more silverware in the next season.
‘I think evidence suggests that he [Salah] is very consistent. He’s scored goals every year he’s been at Liverpool.
‘We all know his professionalism. He lives and breathes the game, he’s got the talent and he’s got the hunger to continue to do so, and I’ve got every confidence in him.’
Liverpool are now looking to bolster Slot’s squad further, having already signed Netherlands defender Jeremie Frimpong.
The Reds are also in talks to sign Frimpong’s former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz, who could end up costing more than £100m.
Asked about Liverpool’s transfer plans, Gerrard said: ‘There are rumours obviously, Florian Wirtz. A big talent, who’s done fantastic for Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen.
‘He’s got a huge future in front of him, so if Liverpool is the place for him, let’s hope we can make it happen. I think you’ve got to fix the roof while the sun is shining.
‘We never had a big summer window last year because we already had a team and a squad ready to challenge, but I think if you want to go to the next step, it’s important to keep improving, keep pushing.
‘Frimpong’s done and there’s obviously a lot of rumours swirling around really good, talented players.
‘It looks like Liverpool are going to be the team to catch, and I have every confidence they are going to be stronger next year.’
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