'Would have a problem' - Arne Slot makes admission over Liverpool transfer plan this summer

The Liverpool head coach looked ahead to the summer transfer window ahead of the Premier League game at Chelsea

Arne Slot admits Liverpool "would have had a problem" if there was no way they could improve on their title-winning squad - and anticipates both Manchester City and Arsenal will now spend big in an attempt to catch his side next season. The Reds are already turning their focus to next season having clinched a record-equalling 20th championship last weekend with four games still remaining in the campaign.

Liverpool are expected to hand Slot and the recruitment team - led by sporting director Richard Hughes - a sizeable transfer warchest in the forthcoming transfer market as they attempt to successfully defend the trophy for the first time in more than 40 years.

The Reds will look to strengthen in a number of positions, with a new left-back and number nine a priority. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is already confirmed as one new face after a £29million deal was agreed with Valencia last year.

And asked if one of the most encouraging aspects of Liverpool's comprehensive title triumph was the scope to continue building, Slot said: "Yeah, because if I feel there's no way for us to improve, then we would have had a problem because I know - normally I always say 99.9% but now I know 100% - for sure that City and Arsenal will improve.

"That improvement will also come by (rubs fingers to show money) probably bringing new players in because that's what they did for so many years in a row, so we would be surprised if they don't do it now.

"But maybe we set the example that all of a sudden teams now feel like 'ah, maybe it's better not to buy someone because then you can win the league'. I don't think that's going to happen, but you never know!

"They will improve, so we have to improve as well, and there is room for improvement for us. But we've been really consistent throughout the whole season, and yes, you can improve, but consistency is the key to to winning a title."

While Liverpool's players will have a well-earned rest in the summer, City - along with Chelsea - will jet out to the United States to take part in the revamped FIFA Club World Cup.

Adding another tournament to an already-packed calendar has attracted much criticism, with City boss Pep Guardiola among those to voice their concerns over player welfare.

Liverpool will be absent despite being the newly-crowned Premier League champions and ranked fourth in UEFA's club coefficients that assess performance in European competitions over the past five seasons.

And asked if he was glad his team had missed out, Slot said: "I think you have to ask me this question after the tournament.

"In this moment, eight out of 10 people who work in this business - maybe even 10 out of 10 - will feel like 'is it really necessary to have another tournament for these players that already had such a long season?'.

"I don't think it's healthy for players to only have maybe one week off, then go into the tournament, then have one week off and start the whole Premier League season again.

"But maybe when it's done we all feel we would love to be there because it was a great occasion. Maybe then that can also lift you towards next season. In pre-season you play friendly games and at Feyenoord when we had to play qualifying games to go in the Conference League we always started off the season really well because these games are so competitive.

"So it could lead to the ones that are there starting the season really well. But then we have to wait and see what it means for the long-term for these teams hardly having any days off."