Gary Neville believes that Liverpool will struggle to compete with Chelsea and Manchester City this season, despite falling just two points shy of Premier League glory in the 2013-14 campaign.

Brendan Rodgers guided the Reds to second place beneath eventual champions City, but the departure of prolific striker Luis Suarez has challenged Liverpool's ability to challenge this season.

Neville thinks that qualifying for the Champions League in the upcoming campaign will be regarded as a successful season for the Reds, who have so far signed seven new players this summer.

"Success this year for Liverpool, for me, would look like a Champions League finish, getting to the knockout phase of the Champions League and doing well in a domestic cup," Neville told Sky Sports News.

"That's not being patronising, I just think that last year was really an over-achievement and I don't see them being stronger than City and Chelsea."

Liverpool have signed Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Emre Can, Lazar Markovic, Divock Origi, Dejan Lovren and Javier Manquillo.