The scenes during the closing stages of Liverpool’s win over West Ham United showed exactly what winning the Premier League would mean for Arne Slot’s players. And I absolutely loved it.
Some people have been making a bit of a fuss over Andy Robertson shouting at Virgil van Dijk for the own goal the Reds conceded to draw the Hammers level. But for me it just showed what football is all about. Neither player contributed to the goal deliberately, it was just one of those things.
They all want to win. They all want to desperately win. And that was shown again by Alexis Mac Allister as Liverpool then pressed for a winner.
Mac Allister simply refused to accept we were going to miss out on a victory, and he more than anyone made sure we didn’t by first winning then taking the corner from which Van Dijk scored.
Don’t forget, this was a player who was almost in tears at full-time at Fulham the previous week when Liverpool lost. That’s what you want to see. It matters that much.
The earlier we seal the title, the sooner Slot can properly start looking at next season. And there’s definitely work that needs to be done regards bringing in a new centre forward.
A team dominating the Premier League should have a number nine among the contenders for the Golden Boot along with the right-winger in Mohamed Salah.
That has to be the number one priority. There has got to be someone out there who can be that piece that fits into whatever jigsaw Slot is building.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold seemingly on his way, there will likely be a new right-back recruited. But I’d be more than happy if Conor Bradley becomes the first choice next season.
He is a very capable lad and against West Ham he once again played well. His mindset is pretty much like Robertson in the Scot's prime in that he would go through a brick wall for a team, and that’s what you want.
Bradley is a good defender who will get better in that regard, and it’s clear he is already a fine attacking player.
If he can get away from his injuries then he can become a real asset in the future for Liverpool.
Alisson still the number one
Alisson Becker is the best goalkeeper on the planet – and everybody knows it. There was a time when Ederson at Manchester City was competition, but the Liverpool keeper has gradually shown himself to be consistently excellent over a longer period of time.
He caught the eye against West Ham, just as he did in the Champions League win at Paris Saint-Germain. But it isn’t just about that with Alisson – his overall game is excellent.
Believe me, Caoimhin Kelleher is going to have blossomed into a superb goalkeeper when he’s closer to Alisson’s age. But the Brazilian is without peer right now.
Now I’d be looking to give him a new contract. I don’t want a situation as with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold. I’m of the opinion if you want to keep a player, you make sure their contracts don’t run down until the last few weeks and months. And Alisson is a player I want tied down at Anfield for many more years.
