Neville sends transfer warning to Liverpool before Premier League title defence

Liverpool have been warned about the difficulty of retaining the Premier League title as they aim to keep hold of their champion status.

The Reds eased to a first title in thirty years last term as Jurgen Klopp finally ended the wait on Merseyside.

They will begin their season with a home match against newly promoted Leeds at Anfield.

Klopp opted not to bring in any major new faces last term, a decision that paid dividends, and this summer they have yet to make a blockbuster signing.

But Gary Neville, who won back-to-back league titles on several occasions at Manchester United, feels Liverpool need a quality import if they want to be champions once again.

He said: “Liverpool have been brilliant for two years, but I think it’s hard to win back to back titles,

“Liverpool could do it, they’re an exceptional team, and if they are to sign Thiago it would make them very strong again. But I do think they need that one signing.

“They need that stimulus for the squad, who have been together for a couple of years.”

Links with Thiago have been swirling for months as he enters the final year of his Bayern Munich contract.

Manager Hansi Flick and CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge have both eluded to the Spaniard’s departure in recent weeks.

And Neville is now conscious that, with Manchester City and Chelsea spending this summer, United could get left behind.

“If Liverpool get Thiago, if  Manchester City  do what they are looking like they are going to do and with Chelsea doing what they’ve done, they are your competitors and they all look like they are improving and moving forward.

“So, United have to do business but I do believe more in the strategy of what’s happening, they just have to get the deals over the line.

“That’s not always easy but they have to try and do it quickly to give Ole the time to build to get this team moulded for the start of the season.”