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Alan Shearer(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Alan Shearer believes Liverpool look the team to beat again next season following their early summer transfer business.

The Reds have already secured the services of Jeremie Frimpong after they triggered the €35m (£29.5m) release clause in his Bayer Leverkusen contract.

Liverpool are also currently locked in negotiations with Leverkusen over a club-record deal for Florian Wirtz.



The 22-year-old, who is claimed to be valued at £126million (€150million) by the Bundesliga side, has made it clear he is keen to complete a move to Anfield, and the Reds are confident a deal can be struck.

And, as reported by the ECHO on Thursday morning, Liverpool also remain confident of striking a deal for Milos Kerkez as talks with Bournemouth continue, who value the left-back at £45m.

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It is believed that the Reds stepped up their efforts to sign the left-back last week but are yet to make a formal offer to the south coast club.

Arne Slot's side secured the Premier League title with a 5-1 win against Tottenham on April 27, meaning they were able to relax for the final few games of the campaign before lifting the trophy following a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last month.

The Reds finished 10 points clear of Arsenal and 13 ahead of Manchester City, and Shearer believes the Reds' early transfer business puts them in pole position to retain the title.

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“The Milos Kerkez transfer isn't done yet, but you'd imagine that it's going to be done,” the former Premier League winner told Betfair.

“They've got Frimpong and if they get Kerkez and Wirtz, which is looking likely, then that'll be really, really good business from Liverpool.

“It's an incredible amount of money that they're looking at with Florian Wirtz, but he's a really, really talented player, there's no doubt about that.

“Because Liverpool didn't sign anyone last year, other than Chiesa, I guess they've got money to spend and they had to do that with Trent leaving.

“You could tell from Andy Robertson's interview towards the end of the season that they were going to go in that direction and look at another left-back, so yeah, not surprising, but it could be really good business for Liverpool.

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“When you look at the business Man City have completed so far, I don't suspect they're finished either.

Particularly with the money spent in January and so far this summer, it'll be a really, really interesting summer because we know that Arsenal need to buy a forward to improve.

“We know that Newcastle are going to invest, so it'll be a really interesting summer, but I'd guess that Liverpool will be the team to chase again.”


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