Alan Shearer tells Liverpool "tiny detail" can improve them next season

Alan Shearer has suggested that Liverpool need to improve their record against the top four if they are to avoid being edged out by Man City in the race for the Premier League.

Jurgen Klopp 's Reds took their battle for the title to the final day and despite overcoming Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield, eventually fell just one point short of Pep Guardiola 's men - the reigning champions themselves staging a memorable comeback against Aston Villa to seal the trophy.

It is another agonising blow for Liverpool on the domestic front having accumulated 92 points - albeit them having come closer during the 2018/19 season with 97 points and still not being named Premier League champions. Meanwhile, it is a failure that also sees the Reds' hopes of an unprecedented quadruple go up in smoke.

Former Newcastle forward Shearer has suggested that the Reds must improve on their record against their nearest rivals this season if they hope to once again challenge City for the title. Liverpool have played Man City, Chelsea and Tottenham on six occasions throughout the campaign, failing to win any of those - just one win would have seen them handed their second Premier League crown.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer said: "One small thing you could say that they could have improved on is their record against the top four.

"Played six, they haven't won any of their games, they didn't lose any either, but that's a tiny detail that they can look back on and say, 'Those are the three teams not winning a game'."

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Despite the disappointment of being edged out in the race for the title, the Reds still have a final opportunity to add silverware to their cabinet before the end of the campaign. Having already claimed the Carabao and FA Cups, they are set to face Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Paris this weekend.

Boss Jurgen Klopp has claimed his side are now more motivated to earn victory over the Spanish giants and secure their seventh European crown having been denied the domestic title. Speaking after their victory over Wolves, he said: "Losing the league today of course increased the desire to put it right next week, and yeah, what's happened has increased the desire for us for sure.

"There is incredible expectation on this team, but that's ok. I am incredibly proud, of course I am, the boys played an incredible season, the whole journey so far has been absolutely exceptional.

"It has been incredible, and for us it doesn't end today. We have a week now to prepare for the final and that is what we will do. We will try absolutely everything. The season was so close, so tight, it came down to moments, decisions.

What I learned about life is, if you stay focused and keep going, you get the reward. Not today, but we will keep going and it will happen."