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Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers insists there will be no complacency from the side next season as he expects his summer signings to help by providing some much-needed competition.

The Reds exceeded expectations in finishing second to Manchester City and even though their surprise bid for a first title in 24 years ended in heartache they still achieved their main aim – securing a return to the Champions League.

However, Rodgers knows qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 2009 is merely the first step and he has to ensure they not only cement a regular place in the top four but continue to challenge for the title.

Rodgers does know his squad needs significant strengthening ahead of the new season and moves have already been made to address that with an early approach for Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana, with discussions continuing as the two clubs try to thrash out an acceptable fee.

“There is certainly no complacency,” said Rodgers of their unexpected second-place finish.

“You can’t take your eye off the ball and this is an ever-evolving league which gets better every season.

“We need to draw on the positives of this season, of which there are many, and we need to add players who can improve us as that is key.

“You have to retain your hunger so you bring in players with that profile as well as the tactical and technical intelligence.

“We had a three-hour recruitment meeting (last week) and as much as we have had a good season we want to go one better next year.”

Rodgers believes the players who went through the experience of a title challenge will be stronger mentally next season.

“I think every title run-in will always have the pressures that come with it and we have shown we can cope with it, winning 12 out of 14 games which is a monumental effort,” he added.

“We picked up 37 points from 42, a remarkable number of points.

“We took it as a compliment as staff and players that we were being talked about as title winners. We had obviously excited people by our football. That showed the significant progress we were making.”

Liverpool have monitored Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can and are targeting Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno.

“We know there is interest but have nothing official,” Leverkusen’s sporting director Rudi Voller told Bild of Liverpool’s interest.

“It is clear that Emre now has a clause in the contract – a decision is still pending.

“The business would be lucrative but that is not the sticking point.

“We are of the opinion that Emre would still do well another year with us.

“Roger Schmidt (Leverkusen’s coach) has already spoken with him, he is really into the player, and I am convinced that Can would be even better with Roger.

“Of course I spoke with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Bayern Munich chairman) on the subject.

“They think that for Emre’s development another season with Leverkusen would be just right.”

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