Manchester City as Liverpool’s biggest challenger for the Premier League title next season, with Arsenal also aiming to dethrone the newly crowned champions.
Liverpool secured their 20th English league title in commanding fashion on Sunday, demolishing Tottenham 5-1 at Anfield. Although they only needed a draw to seal the trophy, Arne Slot’s side ensured a spectacular finish with an emphatic win over struggling Spurs.
Souness praised Liverpool as ‘worthy’ champions and expressed hope that the team is setting its sights on a prolonged period of dominance after outclassing their domestic competitors this season.
The Reds currently sit 15 points ahead of Arsenal and 21 points clear of reigning champions Manchester City, who failed in their bid for a fifth consecutive title.
While Liverpool will need a successful title defense to establish an era of Premier League supremacy, Souness believes City will pose the greatest threat to their reign next season.
Arsenal appear destined for a third straight runner-up finish, but Souness warns that they could fall short yet again unless Mikel Arteta is provided with ‘three or four top-quality signings’ to strengthen his squad.
‘It is a wonderful day for these Liverpool players and it is one they will remember until the day they die,’ Souness told the Daily Mail following the title celebrations at Anfield.
‘That first league title win is a unique feeling. For some at Anfield, it is their second taste, but no less memorable, because this time the supporters were there.
‘My sweetest at Liverpool was probably my last in 1984, our third in a row, but my first was in 1979.
‘I can still remember looking round the dressing room, knowing I was with greats of the game, thinking no matter who comes afterwards, these guys are true greats.
‘I had become part of a team where it was expected that we won the league title. The confidence that instilled, the vibe, was that you felt it was your destiny to continue winning titles.
‘I hope these players today get that same feeling looking round the dressing room; that this could be the start of a dominating period once again for Liverpool.
‘That won’t be so easy as England’s top tier is a super difficult competition to win, and I still consider Manchester City to be the biggest threat to Liverpool come August.
‘Arsenal have threatened but Mikel Arteta knows he must improve his squad with three or four quality additions, or they will come up short once again.’
‘Liverpool are in the luxury position of not being under pressure to buy,’ Souness added. ‘Arne Slot walked into a very healthy football club.
‘Normally, you get big jobs if the roof is leaking or if there’s a constant drip. Liverpool were in good condition.
‘All the stars then aligned for them as no-one expected Manchester City to implode like they did and Arsenal, perhaps not unexpectedly, turned into Premier League nearly men once again.
‘Slot has had time to evaluate the players he inherited and look at the youngsters he maybe didn’t know. He will understand now what he needs to improve on to make them even stronger.
‘The hardest part of the job for him, when he came through the door on day one, was always going to be convincing Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk to stay.
‘When he looked ahead to assess what danger signs were ahead, he knew that was the most difficult task. But he has navigated that and managed it well.
‘Keeping those two, with their experience and performance levels, puts the dressing room in a healthy position.
‘Liverpool have won this league title not because they have been lucky in patches but, like all good champions, they have been consistently good at dealing with the challenges they have faced over nine hard months.
‘They have won it because they deserve it.’
