Manchester City have become the first team in a decade to win back-to-back Premier League titles, and have already been made odds-on favourites to win next season.

Pep Guardiola became only third manager to retain a Premier League title following on from Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho, and he is hoping to follow Ferguson in winning three titles in succession next term.

Guardiola’s side now have the chance to become only the fifth team in history to win the title three-years in succession.

After claiming the title at Brighton with a 4-1 win, Guardiola was quick to pay tribute to runners-up Liverpool, who pushed City all the way and are the first team ever to only lose one game and not win the league title.

“We have to say congratulations to Liverpool and thank you so much – they pushed us to increase our standards,” said Guardiola.

“It’s incredible, 98 points, to go back-to-back. We made the standard higher last season and Liverpool helped us – to win this title we had to win 14 in a row. We couldn’t lose one point.

“It’s the toughest title we have won in all my career, by far.”

Jurgen Klopp was far from downhearted, especially as they have the Champions League final to come, but he admits City are going to be a hard nut to crack.

“As long as Manchester City are around with their financial power, no team will pass them easily,” he said.

“We need to be very close to perfection to win the Premier League as long as this is the case.”

City are now odds on, at 8/11 to win the Premier League again next season.

Liverpool are 5/2 in the betting ahead of Manchester United and Tottenham (both 12/1), with Chelsea 16-1.

“City got the job done today and it’s been another magnificent campaign for Pep Guardiola’s men. Liverpool have pushed them all the way but they’ve had all the answers and it’s difficult to see anybody getting past them next season either. They’re odds on in our book to make it three in a row,” said Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead.

“Liverpool are 5-2 which is much shorter than the 7-2 they were at the start of this season, whilst all the others are double figure prices and the betting suggests it could be a two horse race once again,” added Aitkenhead.