June 25 – It could only be a matter of hours before Liverpool, back to their best in a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, are crowned English champions for the first time in 30 years and the first time since the Premier League was formed.
Jürgen Klopp’s runaway leaders can clinch the title tonight without playing if Manchester City fail to win at Chelsea. If second-placed City triumph, Liverpool’s next chance is a mouth-watering clash with the defending champions next Thursday.
“I’ll watch the (Chelsea) game not to prepare a celebration, I’ll watch the game because we play against City a week later,” Klopp said. “Whatever happens we have no influence on it.”
All that matters to Klopp is collecting the two more points from seven remaining games his team need to clinch the trophy. After failing to impress in a 0-0 draw with city rivals Everton after the restart on Sunday, Liverpool were imperious against Palace.
“It was the best counter pressing behind closed doors ever,” Klopp quipped. “The attitude we showed tonight, the passion we showed, was exceptional and we played some outstanding football.”
The victory moved Liverpool 23 points ahead of City, the only blot being that the campaign will end without any fans in the stadium to celebrate their first league title since 1990.
“We showed our supporters the respect they deserve – that we can play like they are here even when they are not here,” Klopp said. “They can push us to incredible things and without them, it’s nothing like it is when they are here.
“I never miss them more than tonight because imagine this game would have happened with 55,000 people in the stadium and emotions that would have been there in the stadium. It would have been incredible.”
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