The Liverpool view with Anfield Index

Brighton host Liverpool at the Amex and there was only one question that we could start by asking our friends at Anfield Index – how does it feel to be Premier League champions?

The Red half of Merseyside have waited 30 years to lift an English title. Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, the Berlin Wall still stood and Brighton still played at the Goldstone Ground the last time it happened; for an entire generation of Reds – including Scott Groom from Anfield Index – this is the first time in their lives that Liverpool have been crowned the best team in the country.

Our second most important question was can we expect Liverpool to take their feet off the gas with the season all but done? It would be bloody handy if they could as the Albion go looking for further points in their bid to mathematically guarantee top flight football at the Amex for another season.

Here is what Scott had to say ahead of the champions trip to Sussex.

First off, congratulations. Liverpool are Premier League champions 2019-20. How does a first title in 30 years feel?
I’ve never seen Liverpool win a league title. I’m 26, and while I’ve seen brief periods of success under Rafa Benitez and Gerard Houllier, I’ve never seen anything like these last few years under Jurgen Klopp.

To clinch that title is just the best feeling, and I don’t think anyone can begrudge us of it either. To still be 20 points clear with a handful of games left is remarkable and shows just how much of a strong unit this squad is. It wasn’t always pretty, but we did it and it feels amazing. I just hope we carry on this way and clinch a few more titles in coming seasons!

There might be five games left, but your season is pretty much done in Premier League terms. What were the highlights?
I think that to say our season is done irks me a little. I still want to see us set the points total and break as many records as possible, so things need to improve based on the performance against Manchester City!

In terms of highlights, there are a few stand out games for me. The 4-0 demolition of Leicester City away in winter was a complete team performance, beating City 3-1 at Anfield was obviously huge in terms of getting one over on them in terms of points and mentally speaking. The comeback against Aston Villa away was remarkable too, after being 1-0 down on 87 minutes to winning 1-2 was euphoric.

Then there’s the win over Manchester United at Anfield that cemented us having one hand on the trophy while the other one crept ever closer. For me, they’re the stand out games, but there are so many memories from this season and it’s all just been remarkable.

Where do Liverpool go from here? Not many teams retain the title, is that a realistic aim?
It has to be. We’ve won the Champions League and now the league, and got that monkey off our backs. The 30 year wait is no more, and we’re in such a great position that we have to look to keep winning, which I’ve no doubt Klopp is instilling in his players.

It is hard to retain a title, but that’s what great sides do. That’s what we need to do now, and I don’t think that’s out of the question either. This is such a strong team that you can’t look past us or City for title favourites again next season. We need to go on and dominate for years to come now, that’s the aim.

It’s fair to say that the Liverpool players looked like they might have been celebrating a little too hard in last week’s game with Manchester City. Any chance you’ll still be in such a generous mood at the Amex?
That’s one way of putting it, but the first 25 minutes were solid from the Reds. Once that penalty went in, our heads went, but before then we should have been 3-0 up.

As much as Brighton fans won’t want to hear this, I think Klopp will have been furious at full time and will demand a response against Brighton. There’s no point coming all this way for the whole season to limp over the finish line. I don’t want to see that either. You might see a few changes in personnel, but I think Liverpool will be out to prove a point.

Are there any weaknesses in this Liverpool team that Brighton could exploit?
Sometimes our midfield can be a little passive, with too many sideways passes and a lack of incisive edge. If Brighton can close the spaces in between their midfield and defence, it will force our midfield to be more adventurous, potentially leaving a few gaps. Either that or work on pressing the midfield high, but then you risk the front three picking you off with one clever pass.

Andy Robertson looked out of sorts against City, and sometimes he and Trent can leave space in behind when they charge forward, so that could be another area of weakness – but then you’ve got van Dijk and Gomez to get past!

Brighton gave a decent account of themselves at Anfield, losing 2-1 back in November. What did you make of the game that day?
Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Brighton was a nervy game to be honest with you. Brighton came away probably feeling rather aggrieved to leave empty handed, especially after Alisson’s red card. When Lewis Dunk scored with about 10 minutes to go, it was one of the most uncomfortable 10-15 minutes of football I can remember for a while.

Brighton countered Liverpool really well, and made us work for the three points. Another performance like that will make for a good game at the Amex.

Liverpool have been linked with a summer move for Brighton defender Ben White. Is centre back a position which Jurgen Klopp is likely to strengthen in?
I think, if we’re to make any additions, defence might be the area he focuses on. Joel Matip is a little injury prone and Dejan Lovren is Lovren and will likely be moved on. He came close to a switch to Roma recently so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him leave.

We could do with a versatile defender really, so White fits the bill in terms of being young and talented. It really wouldn’t surprise me if Klopp found someone like White for a good price who he could develop, like Andy Robertson and Georginio Wijnaldum, and propelling them to the next level.

Finally, what is the Anfield Index prediction for Brighton versus Liverpool?
It’s really tough to say. It could be quite a scrappy game, but I’d expect a reaction from Liverpool after the defeat to City. I personally think Brighton are safe, but you will not want to just take the chance on that so will push hard. But I think our class will just about edge it. I’m going 2-1 to Liverpool.

Thanks to Scott for taking the time to speak to us before Brighton host Liverpool – you can follow his writings about the champions at both LFC Transfer Room and Anfield Index.