Liverpool's 29-year wait for a title has continued after losing out to Manchester City but Gary Neville has praised the Reds for taking the Premier League race down to the wire.
Man City edged Liverpool out by just a single point one season on from leading the Reds by 25, something which highlights how far the club have come under Jurgen Klopp in the last 12 months.
Liverpool beat Wolves 2-0 at home on the final day of the season but Man City's 4-1 win at Brighton ensured a title repeat for Pep Guardiola's men.
Neville has since hailed Liverpool for their ability to keep pace with the Blues in recent weeks and he also offered up an admission that he never believed that the Reds would compete for the title this season, with the former Manchester United man revealing his surprise by Klopp's side.
"[ Liverpool ] are far better than I ever imagined and have done far more than I ever imagined," Neville told Sky Sports.
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"I never thought that squad was capable of mounting a challenge for the title like they have and the Champions League.
"I thought they would fall in the last month but incredible credit to them. They have played like champions all season, they have fallen short and haven't won it.
"When I think of the Barcelona team that Pep Guardiola had eight, nine years ago, it stopped Manchester United winning three Champions League titles just because they were so good.
"Liverpool can just look at it pragmatically with a philosophical view that they came up against a great side."
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Despite coming up just a point short on the final day of the season, a second crack at silverware now awaits the Reds when they meet Tottenham in the Champions League final on June 1.
