Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted that it will "very difficult" to improve on last year's runners-up finish.

The Reds missed out on the Premier League title on the final day of the season and eventually finished two points behind Manchester City.

Gerrard thinks that it will be tough to improve on last year's performance, but thinks that they have a better squad than the previous campaign.

"I think it's going to be very difficult to improve on last season," he told Sky Sports News. "If we do, then we'll be champions. Last season was terrific consistent-wise. We had a small group of players and we were on a wave of confidence and belief.

"It's gone now, we've got to move on. This year we've got a better squad, we've got better numbers, more competition and I think we've bought. The league is going to be a lot more competitive, but I believe that we will compete and come the end, I think we'll be in the mix.

"The hurt of missing out and using the experience means that we'll get stronger."

Gerrard retired from international duty after the World Cup.