Alan Shearer names Newcastle United among several serious contenders for Liverpool's crown next season

Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions on Sunday with four games to spare after Arsenal's title challenge dropped off a cliff.

In fact, Arsenal's challenge dropped off so severely that they aren't even guaranteed to finish second now, with Newcastle United pushing them all the way.

Arne Slot's first season in charge of Liverpool has been a fantastic one, especially considering he did it with pretty much the same squad as he inherited from Jurgen Klopp.

There has perhaps been a lack of a decent challenger, which has contributed to it being so easy for Liverpool, as Manchester City have had a shocking season by their standards.

Alan Shearer thinks it will be harder for Liverpool to defend their title next season

Attention has already turned to next season's title race now that this one is wrapped up and when speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Alan Shearer has suggested that Liverpool will have a much harder time next season as he expects other teams to come at them and be much closer in the title race.

“I’d be amazed if they were to win it as easily as they have this year, next year.

“I don’t see that happening at all. I think there are so many teams that are waiting to improve.

“Arsenal being one, [Manchester] City being another. Newcastle being another, Villa being another.”

The transfer window could give us a better insight into who will be there or thereabouts next season

This summer's transfer window is going to be massive for all of the aforementioned sides.

Liverpool probably hit it lucky this season with Man City's drop-off off as their squad could still do with a few more top-quality additions. City will have Rodri back next season, which will be huge for them, but they too need players, and Arsenal are desperate for a new striker.

We know just how many players Newcastle need to mount a title challenge, especially with the extra fixtures that they will have to play after qualifying for Europe.

Alan Shearer was perhaps being a bit kind bringing Aston Villa into the mix, but we'll see how it goes for them next season.