A 5-1 demolition of Spurs saw Liverpool crowned English Champions for a record-equalling 20th time. The visitors had threatened to spoil the party after taking an early lead, but Liverpool, as they’ve been all season, were relentless in their pursuit of the Premier League title. Arne Slot becoming the first Dutch manager to lead a team to the summit of the English game.
A party mood inside Anfield was dampened after just ten minutes when former Liverpool striker, Dominic Solanke, rose to head home a corner in front of the Kop. The expectant home crowd were momentarily silenced. Thankfully, parity was soon restored as Luis Diaz scored from close range, and when the outstanding Mac Alister rifled a left shot into the the net on 24 minutes, the roof almost came off Anfield. There was little doubt that Tottenham would be mere spectators, as Liverpool cruised to their second title in five years. The modicum of doubt that might have remained soon disappeared, as Cody Gapko put his side 3-1 up, just after the half-hour.
With Liverpool players and crowd relaxed, and Spurs displaying their customary paper thin resistance at Anfield, it was just a question of how many the champions elect would score in the second half. One player desperate to get his name on the score sheet was Mo Salah, and the darling of the Kop did just that soon after the hour. It was a goal we’ve witnessed many times before, as the favourite for the Golden Boot cut inside the full-back just inside the penalty box and found the corner of the net with a supremely-placed left-foot shoot. As with all the great goalscorers, defenders are fully aware of what those with the skill of Salah intend to do, but stopping them from doing it is a different matter entirely.
4-1, and with the party in full swing, the proverbial cricket score looked on the cards. Yet, even with 30 minutes remaining and, facing a Tottenham side who once again wilted in the Merseyside sunshine, Liverpool added just one more. It really could have been several, with Gapko and the latterly-introduced Darwin Nunez spurning gilt-edged opportunities to thoroughly embarrass the visitors. Did it matter though? Not one jot. An own goal from Udogie was more than enough, as the celebrations got into full swing.
Having been denied the chance to celebrate the title on the pitch, and in front of the fans, five years ago, this was a celebration that was well over due. Thirty five years in fact, and one very lucky fan has the ultimate memento of an historic day. Grabbing a selfie with Salah in front of the Kop, which the Egyptian took himself after scoring his 27th league goal of another stellar season.
As the final whistle blew, red smoke filled the air across all four corners of the ground. Emotion and unbridled joy flowed down from the crowd, engulfing not just a team, but a whole squad who’ve been unrivalled all season. Spurs meanwhile, were the perfect opponents. Their minds on a European semi-final, and a team who rarely threaten at Anfield.
So the impossible job of following Jurgen Klopp has proved otherwise, and how? Only two league defeats all season has seen Arne Slot stroll to an English league triumph, just two years after doing likewise in the Netherlands. There, he disrupted the monopoly of Ajax and PSV Eindhoven. This time, he’s seen off an expectant and somewhat entitled Arsenal, whilst those at the Etihad have been miles off the pace. Liverpool, relentless all season, have simply been too strong. They are more than worthy Premier League Champions and, with the trophy presentation to come along with a parade at the end of May, the party has only just begun.
