Liverpool legend Phil Thompson reflects on their Premier League title-winning campaign before looking ahead to next season.
How do you rate Liverpool’s season?
I certainly cannot grumble. I did fancy us from the start, but right through my predictions this year I have backed Liverpool. I said that if we did not win it last year, we would win it this year and it happened.
I was worried after getting 97 points the year before and not winning it, so for us to rack up 99 this year was truly phenomenal, and they are a credit to themselves.
I know teams will be stronger next year, but we did say that at the start of this season, that teams would be closer to Liverpool and Manchester City, and it did not materialise. They have still been the standard bearers of the Premier League.
Pivotal difference…
Liverpool and City are two sides that play with greater intensity than the other teams. There is a pattern of play which they both demonstrate, and it is quite remarkable. They are so far above the rest of the pack.
I find Liverpool’s performances to have been nothing short of incredible. If we had not picked up points in certain games we would have been under pressure, particularly when we played City at Anfield. Playing the first game there did help us, as we could make a statement, winning 3-1 in November which opened up an eight-point lead.
That was a huge game, as was the Boxing Day match against Leicester. Liverpool were seven points ahead, as Leicester were still in the title race then, and that could have gone against us, but that was where we gave our best performance of the season.
We had just become world champions and it was yet another unbelievable performance. I have not seen a game like that for many years, and to win 4-0 was astonishing.
Stand-out player…
In January, I said the frontrunner for the Player of the Year was Jordan Henderson - I was tipping him then and I am still so chuffed that he is getting the plaudits he is.
His leadership qualities and footballing qualities have shone through. You see when he is absent from the team what difference it makes to this Liverpool side.
We have had so many quality players in each position this year.
How could Liverpool better for next season?
I think we could improve with the creative abilities in midfield.
Another back up striker is needed, and particularly I would have liked to seen Timo Werner come. You have to strengthen while you are on top, so that was an opportunity missed.
When you see the Team of the Years that are going around, we have more or less five or six in our side. Nick Pope has done outstanding, but you have to understand that Alisson was missing in a fair few games too. You could have all of the back four, and then Henderson and Sadio Mane feature often too.
We do need another striker and certainly a creative midfielder. If Yasser Larouci, left back cover, leaves the club then we will certainly need someone in there too.
VERDICT: Liverpool: 10/10
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