Is this season’s Premier League more competitive than for a few years?

And does that open an opportunity for Albion to emulate Bournemouth by upsetting the champions this Saturday?

The first question was put to Fabian Huerzeler as he spoke to reporters after the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool.

The second will be on Albion minds as they prepare for Saturday’s early evening kick-off at the Amex.

Albion are eighth in the table after an afternoon which, at one stage, had them potentially looking at third place after going ahead in front of the Kop.

The afternoon ended with Liverpool fans celebrating not only their own win but also defeat for City and Arsenal.

A perfect trio of results which put Liverpool on title course?

Maybe, although there were very similar scenes last Easter when Liverpool came from behind to beat the Seagulls 2-1 while Arsenal and City dropped points in their 0-0 draw.

There is a long way to go. City have been in far less powerful positions at this stage of recent seasons but still come back to finish top.

But, late on Saturday afternoon, it was easy to see why that question was put to Huerzeler in the quest to move the story on a bit from the match we had just seen.

The head coach said: “What I experienced about the Premier League is that it is tough this year. Everyone can beat everyone.

“Bournemouth beat Man City, I think we had a big chance to win here as well.

“You have to win the games. It is so tough to win Premier League games.

“Especially this season. Teams are very strong. The other coaches have good ideas.

“We need to find a clear identity because I think, in the end, if you have a clear identity and you follow the process, the results will come.”

And, that ultimately, will be the best message for Albion and rivals.

Keep your mind on your own game while remaining aware of what is around you.

The question about the league being more open this year might, actually, have been barking up the wrong tree.

We could now be in a situation where Liverpool and City go on to make it a two-horse title race.

As it was between the two clubs in Albion’s first two seasons in the Prem.

They have opened up a four-point gap on Nottingham Forest, who are now third.

Chelsea, in fourth, have, in practical terms, the advantage of no European hinderance.

Not for their Premier League team anyway.

Their lavish spending on a wealth of players plus the quality of opponents in Europe means Thursday night endeavours should not hinder what they do in the league.

Albion’s mission, of course, is to finish as high as possible and ideally make that a European place.

There are currently four points covering third place down to Newcastle in tenth.

The ongoing annoyance for the Seagulls will be points which got away.

Yes, they might have lost at Arsenal (but also might have won) and drawn at Newcastle – and fallen 2-1 down to Manchester United.

But points let slip against Ipswich, Wolves and, in what now looks like a six-pointer, Nottingham Forest will annoy.

And so will the way they were unable to build on their lead at Liverpool.

(Remember they were also 1-0 up at Chelsea and looking good for a short initial period).

It was encouraging to hear Huerzeler’s answer to quite a soft opening question when he came in to speak to reporters.

Asked whether he took pride from his team’s display, he spoke about disappointment in the result and the ambition of his club to win such games.

Whatever is going on around them, Albion will need to keep the blinkers on to a large degree.

So Huerzeler was happy to answer that question about the bigger picture of an open Premier League.

But he said: “We try to look that we develop young players we have.

“We know we have a very young squad and tough moments are part of the process.

“That is why it is so important to also get results.

“Only playing good is the one side. The other side is you have to get the result to have this confidence.

“It is very tough winning games but we will try to work on it.”