Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has revealed the moment he knew Premier League champions Liverpool could win the title.
Liverpool joined arch-rivals United on 20 English league titles after thrashing Tottenham 5-1 at Anfield on Sunday.
Arne Slot’s side only needed a point to clinch the title but ensured they became Premier League champions in style with an emphatic victory over struggling Spurs.
Liverpool have sat top of the Premier League since early November but Scholes thought the Reds had a ‘great chance’ of winning the title a couple of months before that.
It was in fact Liverpool’s impressive 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 1 that made Scholes begin to fear the title was heading to Anfield.
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‘I actually thought Liverpool would have a chance of winning the league when I saw them playing at Old Trafford back in September,’ he told TNT Sports.
‘I know that Manchester United aren’t in the best shape, but I was really impressed by what I saw from Liverpool.
‘There are goals all over the team and I thought if Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson stayed fit, they’d stand a great chance.
‘Even though Alisson missed a few games, Van Dijk was still there and winning the league is an amazing achievement.
‘They probably haven’t been pushed with the likes of Manchester City not being great this year and with Arsenal drawing too many games.
‘But even if they were pushed, I still think they would’ve won the title and gone into another gear and although it was a bit quiet in the last five weeks or so with nobody chasing them.
‘In the end, it was quite easy, but it’s still an unbelievable achievement. They looked like the best team in the league for me. Nobody else got anywhere near them, so you have to admire them for that.
‘When I retired, Liverpool were only two league titles behind us, so you knew there was always a possibility of it happening, and the way things are now, you’d put money on Liverpool winning it again before United do.’
Liverpool, who finished third last season, have only lost twice in the Premier League this term and remain on course for more than 90 points.
The Reds chose not to make many new signings last summer but Scholes believes a couple of defensive reinforcements will be needed this time around.
‘I think they need to improve defensively,’ he said when asked which areas Liverpool need to strengthen.
‘Obviously if Trent goes, they might need cover for Conor Bradley. As good as Conor has done over the years, he does tend to pick injuries up.
‘They also might have an issue with the No. 2 goalkeeper if Caoimhin Kelleher leaves as well.
‘I think they need a left-back and although I think Andy Robertson has been brilliant for Liverpool, there were times this year where you thought that could be a weakness.
‘I think Slot would want a holding midfield player. I know Ryan Gravenberch has been very good but if he got injured, they’ll need some major back-up in there.
‘Also, I don’t think Federico Chiesa will be there next year so I think they might need at least two players up top although I do think they’ve got the best forwards in the league anyway.’
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