Liverpool star James Milner believes his team will have a target on their backs next season.
The Reds have enjoyed their past two Premier League campaigns, finishing second and then winning the league last term.
But Milner thinks as champions they will have a much harder time next season, with everyone wanting to get the scalp of beating them.
Speaking from Liverpool 's pre-season training camp in Austria, he told reporters: "This is the start again of an even tougher season.
"I think how good we've been over the last two seasons has been incredible, but if we stay at that same level it won't be good enough.
"Everyone else is pushing, everyone is improving. We have a target on our backs and they're going to want to knock us off the top. So it's down to us to keep improving, keep pushing.
"It's time to go again, keep pushing and have that hunger, even when we've been successful.
"That's the task for us, but teams in the past have shown how difficult it is to retain that league title. That'll be a big challenge.
"You've earned that right to be called champions, but then you have to go and prove it and do it again.
"I think everybody is focused and ready to go again and hopefully have a real good run at retaining it."
