April 287 – Liverpool FC confirmed their 20th top-flight league championship with a commanding 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, drawing level with their longtime rivals Manchester United in the all-time English league title count.
Unlike their previous title win during the Covid-19 interrupted 2019-20 season, when the trophy was lifted at an empty Anfield, this celebration took place before a jubilant capacity crowd. The atmosphere was electric throughout the historic stadium, with the famous Kop end in full voice despite Spurs taking a shock 1-0 lead.
Once Luis Díaz equalised for manager Arne Slot’s team, Liverpool unleashed an unstoppable attacking display. Alexis Mac Allister thundered in the second, Cody Gakpo added a third, before the talismanic Mohamed Salah – who has now scored more than 200 goals for the club since his arrival in 2017 – made it four. Tottenham’s misery was completed when Destiny Udogie turned the ball into his own net for Liverpool’s fifth.
This triumph adds to Liverpool’s rich history, under legendary managers Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and most recently, Jurgen Klopp.
Arne Slot, in his first year as Liverpool boss after taking over from the much-beloved Klopp, was ecstatic post-match: “I’m very, very happy of course but to a certain extent it also feels unreal. You’ve worked so hard for this moment to happen and, when it does happen, you need time to truly feel it. The fans were so happy that it didn’t take me long to understand what we’ve achieved together this season.
“It is so special. It was a proud moment when I knew I would become the new head coach here, to be part of such a great football club, and to now be part of the history of this football club is something I could have only dreamed of three or four years ago.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was equally jubilant, telling Sky Sports: “It’s special – it’s something we don’t take for granted. A lot of emotions before the game, but we got the job done – we are deserved champions… This is the most beautiful club in the world. Let’s enjoy all of this over the next few weeks and let it sink in.”
The victory continues Liverpool’s remarkable resurgence since their title drought between 1990 and 2020, a period during which Manchester United overtook them in the all-time title count under Sir Alex Ferguson’s leadership. Now the two most successful clubs in English football stand level at 20 championships each.
The fans will have to wait a couple more weeks to see Van Dijk lift the Premier League trophy, as it will be presented after their final home game on May 25 versus Crystal Palace – a fitting conclusion to what has been a remarkable debut season for Slot and another glorious chapter in Liverpool’s storied 132-year history.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1745848055labto1745848055ofdlr1745848055owedi1745848055sni@o1745848055fni1745848055