Liverpool must spend again and ‘keep on improving squad’, says Berger

Liverpool will have to spend again this summer as they need to “keep on improving their squad” in order to remain competitive, says Patrick Berger.

The Reds have seen investment in recent transfer windows richly rewarded.

Virgil van Dijk and Alisson have proved to be shrewd additions, while the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane continue to thrive in the final third of the field.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are now serious Premier League title challenges and Champions League winners.

They are, however, having to start from scratch again ahead of the 2019-20 campaign, with domestic and European rivals in the process of reinforcing their own squads.

Liverpool have to do likewise, says Berger, with it imperative that more quality and depth is brought into Anfield this summer.

The former Reds star told The Mirror when reflecting on a memorable 2018-19 season which saw the Reds pipped to a first top-flight crown in 29 years by a solitary point: “I said at the time that the only thing Liverpool could do was win every single game until the end of the season and hope that Manchester City dropped points.

“They didn’t, but the boys couldn’t have done more. It just wasn’t enough at the end.

“It was a magnificent season. They played some brilliant football, they were unbeaten at Anfield in the league and they should be very proud of the way they played.

“What Manchester City have done is unbelievable. You can only put your hands up and say they were too good for the last two seasons. But Liverpool have taken a huge step closer to Manchester City and in any other season they would have been crowned champions.

“At least they know they are at the same level and know they can ­challenge for the Premier League next season. But remember that two years ago Chelsea were the champions and you thought that they would be right up there for the foreseeable future. That didn’t happen.

“And I think that shows Liverpool and even Manchester City must keep on ­improving their squad and keep the same quality and hunger in order to be up there again next season.”

Berger believes that the battle for Premier League supremacy may not be a two-horse race again next term, with the Czech adding: “I don’t really expect the other teams to be that far behind Liverpool and City again next season.

“I think they’ll strengthen and they’ll get much closer. Liverpool and City were almost playing in a different ­competition last time and the others far, far behind. I’m just not sure that will be ­happening again.”

Liverpool are set to kick off the new season with a home date against newly-promoted Norwich on August 9.