Arop Jonchol
Al-Wadi: Reuters
Liverpool overturned an early deficit to storm to a 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, sealing the Premier League title in spectacular fashion on a historic day at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool only needed a single point to secure their 20th English league title with four games remaining in the season. However, they suffered a shock in the 12th minute when Dominic Solanke put Tottenham ahead.
But the celebrations were only briefly postponed as Liverpool responded with a goal from Luis Díaz, a rocket shot from Alexis Mac Allister, and another strike from Cody Gakpo before halftime.
The second half, which was completely one-sided, saw Mohamed Salah score the fourth goal, ending his six-game scoring drought with a low shot past goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario in the 63rd minute.
Salah celebrated his 28th league goal of the season by taking a selfie with a fan.
Later, Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie scored an own goal, capping a miserable day for the visiting team, which has now lost 19 matches in the Premier League this season.
Liverpool, who have now matched Manchester United’s record for the most English league titles, have 82 points from 34 matches, while Arsenal sit second with 67 points.
The club’s beloved anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” echoed around the stadium after the final whistle, joined by club legends like Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush.
Arne Slot, the Dutch coach who succeeded Jürgen Klopp last year and became the first Dutch manager to win the Premier League, said on the pitch, “It’s hard to describe this feeling.
“It’s more than I can put into words… Everyone said we had already won the title, but there was still pressure to actually get the wins (in the matches).”
Slot has become only the fifth manager to win the Premier League title in his first season in English football.
Although the title was all but secured before kickoff, Liverpool were determined to crown their season in style in front of their passionate fans.
Five years ago, when Liverpool ended a 30-year wait for their 19th title under Jürgen Klopp, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a bittersweet finish in an empty stadium.
Sunday was a chance to make up for that, as fans flipped through the club’s songbook in celebration.
Tottenham, sitting 16th and making eight changes to their starting lineup as they focused on their upcoming Europa League semifinal on Thursday, arrived at Anfield like lambs to the slaughter but temporarily silenced the Liverpool crowd in the 12th minute. Former Liverpool player Solanke headed the ball into the net from a James Maddison corner.
However, Liverpool were only behind for four minutes before leveling the score.
Díaz, making his 100th Premier League appearance for the club, scored the equalizer after a low cross from Dominik Szoboszlai. Although the goal was initially ruled out for offside, it was confirmed after a VAR review, much to everyone’s relief.
Eight minutes later, celebrations erupted as Mac Allister, one of Liverpool’s unsung midfield heroes, scored a stunning goal.
After Tottenham lost possession trying to play out from the back, the ball fell to Argentine World Cup 2022 winner Mac Allister, who blasted it into the net with his left foot.
After helping Liverpool’s title party, the visitors could do little but watch as the Reds continued their dominance, with Gakpo scoring the third goal in the 34th minute.
Only a goal from Salah, Liverpool’s star, was needed to complete the perfect day—and he duly delivered after the break.
Captain Virgil van Dijk said, “It’s special, and something we do not take for granted. So many emotions today. We are truly deserved champions.”
After a season marked by dominance, during which Liverpool suffered just two defeats in 34 league matches, there could be no argument about their worthiness as champions.
