Former Liverpool forward Robbie Keane has backed his old side to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title next season despite a disappointing campaign at Anfield.
The Reds ended the 2022-23 season without Champions League qualification as they finished in fifth place, the lowest of any of Jurgen Klopp's seven full terms at the club, and will therefore have to make do with Europa League football in 2023-24.
And by the time Man City lifted their fourth Premier League of the last five seasons, Liverpool trailed their rivals by a staggering 22 points following defeats against Bournemouth, Leeds United, Brighton and Wolves over the last nine months.
However, despite the collective slump across the campaign, Keane, who turned out for the Reds during the 2008/09 season, has backed Jurgen Klopp's men to run Pep Guardiola's treble-chasing side close next year.
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"It’s very difficult to say where Man City go from here, because if you win the treble, what players do you need? It depends on which players go out," Keane told Betway. "If you get a couple of players that leave, I’m sure they’ll be looking to sign some players.
"Next year, I don’t think it’s going to be a two-horse race with Arsenal. I think Liverpool will be back in the fold, I really believe that."
Liverpool have moved swiftly to address some of the concerns from this season, with Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister edging closer to a move to Merseyside. The 24-year-old midfielder is expected to be one of a number of additions to the centre of the park this summer, with Southampton's Romeo Laivia, Wolves' Matheus Nunes and Ajax's Ryan Gravenberch all having admirers at the club. Meanwhile, reports in Europe have linked the Reds with French duo Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram.
Adding his thoughts on what Liverpool could expect from the rest of the top six, Keane said: "With Mauricio Pochettino coming in, I think Chelsea could be good, but they might need a year or two.
"I’m obviously hoping Tottenham will be too, if they get a few new signings, but that depends on if Harry Kane stays. I think it will be a lot closer next year, in terms of teams challenging."
Liverpool will begin their preparations for the new season on July 8 when they return to the AXA Training Centre before heading out to Germany for fixtures against Karlsruher SC and Greuther Furth. Later in July, the Reds will fly to Singapore for the commercial leg of their summer schedule, where they will face Leicester City and Bayern Munich.
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