Opposition View: Liverpool

It’s all going rather well for Liverpool at the moment, despite defeats in their past two games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City.

The Reds sit four points clear at the top of the table with just one loss all season. Jurgen Klopp’s decision to reinforce his defence over the last year with the signings of one-time Brighton target Virgil van Dijk and Brazilian goalkeeper Allison has proven to be inspired and there is a genuine belief that the league title could be heading to Anfield for the first time in a generation.

Ahead of Liverpool’s visit to the Amex, we caught up with Ayon Anwar from Anfield Index to find out how this most memorable of seasons so far has panned out from a Reds perspective.

It’s all going pretty well this season so far for Liverpool. Is this the year you finally win the league title after such a long wait?
I sure hope so. A part of me wishes that we can exit the Champions League as soon as possible to put our full effort into the Premier League, such is my desperation to win it. I’m certainly not the oldest Liverpool fan, but this is the best team that I’ve had the privilege to watch in terms of both style and results. Competing for the title against a team as great as Manchester City is daunting but will make the victory so much sweeter if we do manage to get over the line.

Talking of trophies, you exited the FA Cup at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday. Was Jurgen Klopp right to make so many changes or do you wish he’d taken the competition a little seriously?
I’d like to believe that even though Klopp made so many changes, he still put out a team that he believed could win the match (despite his celebration – or lack thereof – when Divock Origi scored the equaliser). So far in his Liverpool tenure, January has been a problematic time for Klopp with injuries piling up and crucial points dropped. This year is no different with the centre back injury list piling up. Changes were necessary, even if he were to make the competition a priority. As he said himself before the game, “If we would win the FA cup people would still say ‘but you didn’t win the Premier League for 425 years”.

What’s changed from last season to turn Liverpool from a side on the periphery of the title race into one leading it?
In a word: balance. Don’t get me wrong, I loved watching Liverpool last season where we would absolutely blow teams away in short periods of time, to the point where my couch was unused for entire halves at a time. But as demonstrated on multiple occasions, a two or three goal lead was sometimes not enough. There’s something about Virgil Van Dijk striding across the turf like a lion hunting his prey that is just as satisfying as watching bags of goals being poured in. Huge credit to Allison as well, not just for his solidity, but his outstanding distribution as well. He’s been a game changer.

Can you see yourselves doing much business in January? If so, where do you think Klopp should be looking to strengthen?
Aside from outgoings, I can’t see any business as the squad is a little bit bloated as it is. Centre back is a little bit of an issue as we now only have one fully fit player in that position. Luckily for us, that man happens to be Van Dijk, who I think is the best defender in the world at the moment alongside Kalidou Koulibaly to the point where a plank of wood may suffice as a supplement to the giant Dutchman. All jokes aside, Fabinho showed that he can deputise alongside Van Dijk’s whilst Dejan Lovren, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip re-enter the fold.

Who have been Liverpool’s star performers this season? And have their been any disappointments?
I’ll steer clear of the obvious answers and go for Gini Wijnaldum, possibly having the season of his career. I can count on my right hand the amount of times he’s been ousted in a duel and two of those times were against the infallible Fernandinho. He does the things that no one really appreciates at the time but are the basis for all of the good things that the side produces. Shout out to Fabinho as well, who reminds me of a spider monkey in the way he somehow wins the ball back whilst being behind the opponent.

There haven’t been many disappointments, but I was expecting a bit more from Naby Keita, which in hindsight is a little bit harsh. He’s played less than 1000 minutes in five different positions whilst still showing flashes of why Klopp clamoured to bring him over from Leipzig. Only he and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain possess the ability to drive the ball forward in midfield, which is critical in our transitional play. But like most of Klopps signings, I’ve learned to give them time. I expect a big second half of the season from him.

Which opponents have been Liverpool’s toughest so far and who do you think is going to be relegated come the end of the campaign?
Its hard to look past Manchester City here. Two tight contests, each on a knives edge. We were lucky to get a draw at Anfield with the late missed penalty and were unlucky to lose at the Etihad with the goal line clearance and slight deflection of Alexander-Arnold’s studs to take the ball away from Allison for the winner.

In the relegation scrap, its hard to look past Huddersfield at the moment, Eight points away from safety having only scored 13 goals, the worst in the division. I’m a big fan of Ralph Hassenhuttl, so I think Southampton will survive and I think the tinker man still has some tricks up his sleeve at Craven Cottage. Cardiff and Burnley to join the terriers in the Championship for me.

What did you make of Brighton when we met at Anfield back in August?
Aside from Manchester City and Everton, our toughest contest at Anfield this season – and Everton’s performance I’d attribute to be fuelled by desire to win the derby – was against Brighton. You were defensively sound even without Lewis Dunk as Shane Duffy and Leon Balogun patrolled the back line. I’m hoping the Seagulls will be a main stay in the Premier League for years to come. I was a little bit disappointed that it was Yves Bissouma that gave the ball away for Mo Salahs goal, but hopefully the young Malian can learn from that and continue his progression to cement a spot in the first team.

What advice would you give Chris Hughton for attempting to find a way to beat Liverpool? Any weaknesses?
Press Fabinho (or whoever partners Van Dijk at the heart of defence). Although he is excellent in possession when played in midfield, a curious occurrence happens when footballers occupy space which they are not accustomed too.

Finally, a score prediction please?
I think the Reds will be hungry to bounce back from a run of bad results in recent weeks. Brighton’s home form is the best in the league outside of the top six which is something to be wary of but I can see a tough fought out victory for Liverpool. 2-0.

Thanks to Ayon for answering our questions – and his kind words about the Albion. Why not send Anfield Index a tweet on Twitter in the unlikely event that Ayon’s 2-0 to Liverpool prediction turns out to be wrong!