Liverpool announced themselves in the most unforgettable way.
How poignant that the game which secured Liverpool’s first domestic title in three decades, ended in the 96th minute.
Those who gave their lives for Liverpool FC at Hillsborough in 1989 were vividly remembered as the new Premier League champions were announced over 200 miles away from Anfield.
This is a band of champions who reflect the energy and personality of the lead singer – Jurgen Norbert Klopp who after Champions League glory in Madrid in 2019, elevated himself into Kopite royalty with the mother of all victories – the holy grail of the winning the Premier League.
This victory in an era of football analysis, throw-in coaching and sports psychology is in sharp contrast to King Kenny’s Boot Room inspired boys whose portraits were collected in Panini sticker albums and whose triumphs were examined on VHS tapes.
The squad of 1990 laced with the poise of Alan Hansen, industry of Steve McMahon, flair of John Barnes and abundance of Ian Rush, gave way to a new generation.
The bulwark of Alisson, majesty of Virgil van Dijk, graft of Gini Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson, the might of Mo SAlah and arguably the footballer of the season, ‘Super’ Sadio Mané whose contributions time and time again gave the Reds the vital edge in so many tight games.
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However, no eulogy for these Reds would be complete without mentions for verve of Andy Robertson and the innovation of Trent Alexander-Arnold – a right back who often dictates games and whose assists belie all that we have assumed about the role of a full-back.
The seminal success for the last league winning campaign was the 9-0 trouncing of Crystal Palace at Anfield. In this campaign there were many memorable moments – particularly the tense, marginal wins but if there was a competitor to a more complete conquest than the 4-0 against Crystal Palace which gave match point to Liverpool in the title-race, it was a cold Boxing Day night at the King Power stadium.
First versus second, current incumbent versus previous, tenant versus landlord even as an inspired Alexander-Arnold led a charge of the ‘Red Regiment’ which squeezed the life out of the Foxes of Leicester City.
It was a devastating performance and result which sent a message loud and clear to the rest of the Premier League – these Reds will not be moved.
For those who hoped for null and void, the pain will deepen because the asterisk which was supposed to mock these title titans, will only serve to remind the football world that they won this title by a record-breaking landslide*.
Riaz Ravat is a member of Liverpool FC’s Equality & Diversity Fan Forum. He writes in his own capacity.