Alan Shearer names the five teams to challenge Liverpool for the title next season

They currently sit 15 points clear of second-placed Arsenal and 21 points ahead of last season’s champions, Manchester City.

City were aiming to achieve an unprecedented fifth consecutive league title but fell short, giving rivals an opportunity to reclaim the crown.

Arsenal and Chelsea showed glimpses of a challenge, though Liverpool’s eventual success seemed inevitable for weeks, if not months.

Under Arne Slot, Liverpool have suffered only two league defeats this season and look poised to accumulate over 90 points. Shearer believes Liverpool are well-placed to defend their title but anticipates much tighter competition among top teams in the coming campaign.

‘I would be amazed if Liverpool won it as easily next season,’ Shearer said on The Rest is Football podcast. ‘I don’t see that happening at all.

‘There are so many teams waiting to improve, Arsenal being one, Man City being another, Newcastle and Aston Villa as well. Chelsea are another one.

‘There are so many teams that are willing and have to improve next year. If Liverpool win it next year, it won’t be as easy.’

Fellow former England striker Gary Lineker also expects a ‘tighter’ title race to unfold next campaign and has tipped Arsenal and Man City to push Liverpool much closer.

‘I would think Liverpool will challenge for the title for the next couple of seasons now,’ he said.

‘What I think will happen though is both Man City and Arsenal will put up a better fist of things and probably not have the amount of injuries they’ve had this season.

‘I think it will be a lot closer. I don’t think for one minute they can win it as easily next season but who knows.

‘I suspect Man City get back to somewhere approaching their best, I would be shocked if they had another season like this one.

‘I think Pep Guardiola will want it even more next season, if that’s possible, because that drive hasn’t gone.

‘I think the title race will be a lot tighter, it has to be. They’ve won it at a canter this year.

‘I think it will be a great season actually and hopefully a bit more competitive at both ends of the table.’

Considering Liverpool’s commanding performance in the Premier League, it’s easy to overlook the initial skepticism surrounding the team at the beginning of the season.

Many analysts questioned how the Reds would cope after the departure of Anfield icon Jurgen Klopp, who reshaped the club during his transformative nine-year tenure.

However, former Feyenoord manager Arne Slot is now poised to claim the Premier League title in his debut season in England, having outclassed Liverpool’s domestic challengers.

‘It feels great,’ Slot said after Liverpool secured the Premier League title. ‘I don’t think I want to say a lot.

‘The only thing now is to send my appreciation to Jurgen Klopp. I am 99.9% sure that if I pick up my phone there will be a message from Jurgen.

‘So many moments in the season the two of us have had contact. I think he showed last season what a wonderful human being he is by introducing me.

‘But what mattered most is the team he left behind that was able to win the trophy.’