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Liverpool are crowned Premier League champions – live reaction! Liverpool are crowned Premier League champions – live reaction!
(32 minutes later)
Rolling report: It’s been a long old wait, but Liverpool have won their first league title in 30 years. Rob Smyth has all the reactionRolling report: It’s been a long old wait, but Liverpool have won their first league title in 30 years. Rob Smyth has all the reaction
“Evening Rob,” says Paul Spencer. “I’ve been a Liverpool fan since the ‘74 season. I’ve seen a lot, good and bad, but this one hits me in the soul. I was doing a pretty good ‘stoic old man’ impression until Jurgen started crying, but that left me sobbing like a baby. It’s mid-afternoon on the west coast of America (home now, at least for a while). I’m going to step out and lose my mind now. I may be gone for some time.”
I’m just catching up with Jurgen Klopp’s interview on Sky Sports. Bless him, he couldn’t control the tears and ended up walking away.
The near misses of the last 30 years don’t matter any more. David James’ PlayStation odyssey; Rafa Benitez’s presentation; Steven Gerrard’s slip. They’re all part of the backstory now.
“Hello Rob,” says Samuel Hewetson. “I’m not an ardent football fan, but am cheering along with the loudest of them tonight. My grandfather Richard lived and breathed Liverpool FC. He watched every match, every season, religiously. Since 1990 he had been hoping for today’s win. Sadly he passed away last year, and never got to witness the club being crowned champions again. This is a huge cathartic moment for our family; we can now celebrate for him.”
There’s a helluva party going on at Anfield, with thousands of fans congregating outside the ground. It’s like Bournemouth beach over there.
“Evening, Rob,” says Phil Sawyer. “I haven’t dared do anything except dip in fleetingly to the MBM tonight, the last week, this season actually, for fear of jinxing. The likes of Matt Dony are more resilient than me. Being old enough to name Steve Heighway as my first hero as a nipper, it’s been so long this truly started to seem like the impossible dream.
“There will be a lot written tonight, and in the coming days, about Klopp, and rightly so. But FSG deserve praise as well. They haven’t got everything right, even quite recently, but they’ve been able to admit when they’ve made mistakes and put them right, and crucially they had a plan that was always centred around recruiting Klopp, they’ve put the infrastructure and the funds in place to back him, and remembering the night I found myself chatting to fellow Reds BTL on some obscure regional paper site in the States as Hicks and Gillett made a last desperate attempt to keep hold of the club, tonight seemed like an impossible dream back then.
“Having said all that, it’s mainly about Klopp. I shall now get very drunk and pass out to have some entertainingly erotic dreams about him.”
“It’s been more than a 30-year wait for me,” says Robert Tyler. “Liverpool have been my team since 1971, when four-year-old me felt sorry for them when Charlie George scored in the FA CUp Final. I got to enjoy a few years of triumphs, but we moved to the States in the summer of 77 and I’ve been here ever since. Without the internet and no coverage of football in the USA, I completely missed out on the glory of the 80s, including the last title in the 90s. So this is my first league title in 43 years. Not sure how to even process this.”
I wouldn’t bother trying, at least not for the first week.
“Hey Rob,” says Oskar Kostecki. “Tearing up at work in NYC right now. So proud of the whole team for the quality, focus and dedication shown these past few seasons. The never-say-die attitude and the refusal to give up is truly inspirational. Special shout-out to Andy Robertson, who for me is such an embodiment of this team, and so happy for all his achievements these past few years!”
And here’s Jordan Henderson...
“Who’s having that, by the way... Am I on live? [Where are you all, then?] We’re not in the house. I don’t think I can give the location in case loads of people turn up. [I could swear that’s Barnard Castle in the background.] It’s an amazing feeling, you know. I haven’t wanted to speak about it for a long time. You keep trying to get us to talk about but I didn’t want to. Now we’ve finally done it and it’s an amazing feeling.
“It’s so special to be a part of this football team. This wouldn’t be possible without the manager. I hope we stay hungry...”
Sorry, I can’t concentrate on the interview because a load of Facetime Contact Requests keep popping up on the interview screen. Bwip! Bwip! Bwip!
“When we had the lockdown that changed a bit, because I had more time to think. You’ve got to stay focused, stay positive and pray that you get to the finish the season off. It’s great to get over the line and finally win the Premier League.”
Here’s Virgil van Dijk, the man whose signing made it all possibleHere’s Virgil van Dijk, the man whose signing made it all possible
“Unbelievable. What a season so far. Incredible, incredible, to be part of this group of players. I’m very proud to call myself a Premier League winner. I don’t watch too many games but tonight’s felt like it was taking ages. I haven’t been that nervous in a while. We’re all proud of each other; I can’t really describe the feeling.”“Unbelievable. What a season so far. Incredible, incredible, to be part of this group of players. I’m very proud to call myself a Premier League winner. I don’t watch too many games but tonight’s felt like it was taking ages. I haven’t been that nervous in a while. We’re all proud of each other; I can’t really describe the feeling.”
And with that, the entire team charge into shot, drown him in champagne and start singing ‘Championes!’. So they are celebrating together after all.And with that, the entire team charge into shot, drown him in champagne and start singing ‘Championes!’. So they are celebrating together after all.
“This year, we have taken it to a different level. We have been so consistent, we have been doing so well in different parts of game - whether we have to dig deep or win comfortably. It’s a fantastic feeling.”“This year, we have taken it to a different level. We have been so consistent, we have been doing so well in different parts of game - whether we have to dig deep or win comfortably. It’s a fantastic feeling.”
From the news wiresFrom the news wires
“Liverpool’s principal owner John W Henry paid tribute to the team’s ‘magnificent achievement’.“Liverpool’s principal owner John W Henry paid tribute to the team’s ‘magnificent achievement’.
“‘This was a season for the ages and for the faithful of Liverpool Football Club,’ the American, head of Fenway Sports Group, tweeted.“‘This was a season for the ages and for the faithful of Liverpool Football Club,’ the American, head of Fenway Sports Group, tweeted.
“‘It has been an incredible year of magnificent achievement culminating tonight in capturing the Premier League title.“‘It has been an incredible year of magnificent achievement culminating tonight in capturing the Premier League title.
“‘This in addition to winning a European championship, a Super Cup and a world championship - the totality of this accomplishment has brought respite and joy to so many in a year filled with so much tragedy.“‘This in addition to winning a European championship, a Super Cup and a world championship - the totality of this accomplishment has brought respite and joy to so many in a year filled with so much tragedy.
“‘LFC has made the beautiful game more beautiful than ever.“‘LFC has made the beautiful game more beautiful than ever.
“It is said, ‘We are Liverpool’. You, the supporters are Liverpool in every sense and you continue to drive the club forward - a historic club making history once again.”“It is said, ‘We are Liverpool’. You, the supporters are Liverpool in every sense and you continue to drive the club forward - a historic club making history once again.”
“I’m enjoying tonight with a bottle of whisky,” says Matt Dony, “and I will continue to do so until one of us is drunk. By the other one. (Joke c/o John Finnemore.) All jokes aside, this is magnificent. Realistically, other titles could potentially come, but this season seems unrepeatable. The team have been better than any of us could have imagined. Everything has come together. Pick any adjective, and it’s still an understatement.“I’m enjoying tonight with a bottle of whisky,” says Matt Dony, “and I will continue to do so until one of us is drunk. By the other one. (Joke c/o John Finnemore.) All jokes aside, this is magnificent. Realistically, other titles could potentially come, but this season seems unrepeatable. The team have been better than any of us could have imagined. Everything has come together. Pick any adjective, and it’s still an understatement.
“Klopp could not have fit in better. It’s a cliche that some people just ‘get’ clubs, but something about the Klopp/Liverpool connection just seems magical. Every player has contributed. It’s an amazing time to be a Liverpool fan. We’ve had some troughs to get to this peak, but my word, what a peak. Seven games to spare. Seven games out of 38. It barely makes sense. Nothing makes sense anymore. Staggered.”“Klopp could not have fit in better. It’s a cliche that some people just ‘get’ clubs, but something about the Klopp/Liverpool connection just seems magical. Every player has contributed. It’s an amazing time to be a Liverpool fan. We’ve had some troughs to get to this peak, but my word, what a peak. Seven games to spare. Seven games out of 38. It barely makes sense. Nothing makes sense anymore. Staggered.”
And staggering, in a couple of hours’ time. Congratulations to you and all our Liverpool MBM correspondents. After 30 years, don’t you dare remember this night.And staggering, in a couple of hours’ time. Congratulations to you and all our Liverpool MBM correspondents. After 30 years, don’t you dare remember this night.
Still no Jurgen Klopp, but here’s Pep GuardiolaStill no Jurgen Klopp, but here’s Pep Guardiola
“Big congratulations to Liverpool for this great season and the title they won. We have a lot to play for this season but of course we will try to be close to Liverpool next season. We were not consistent like the previous season. They had incredible focus and played every game like it was the last game. In the beginning we didn’t play that way. We cannot forget that we are second in the league so we are still better than a lot of teams.”“Big congratulations to Liverpool for this great season and the title they won. We have a lot to play for this season but of course we will try to be close to Liverpool next season. We were not consistent like the previous season. They had incredible focus and played every game like it was the last game. In the beginning we didn’t play that way. We cannot forget that we are second in the league so we are still better than a lot of teams.”
Jurgen Klopp is on BT Sport... and his sound isn’t working! Ach.Jurgen Klopp is on BT Sport... and his sound isn’t working! Ach.
Here’s a special video on how Jurgen Klopp turned Liverpool into the best team in the world - and England.Here’s a special video on how Jurgen Klopp turned Liverpool into the best team in the world - and England.
“Evening Rob,” says Gerry Scott. “When was the last time the Championship was won by such a fun team? Even Pep’s City in their pomp attract something closer than awe than affection. Whatever this Liverpool team goes on to I think they will be remembered fondly by a lot of people.”“Evening Rob,” says Gerry Scott. “When was the last time the Championship was won by such a fun team? Even Pep’s City in their pomp attract something closer than awe than affection. Whatever this Liverpool team goes on to I think they will be remembered fondly by a lot of people.”
Plenty will prefer City, but I know exactly what you mean. They remind me the most, especially in their tempo and defiant spirit, of a team that probably shouldn’t be mentioned on a Liverpool celebration blog.Plenty will prefer City, but I know exactly what you mean. They remind me the most, especially in their tempo and defiant spirit, of a team that probably shouldn’t be mentioned on a Liverpool celebration blog.
“Hi Rob!” says Annabelle Garnett. “We did it. I am just so proud and happy with their emphatic win. I am sitting here in my lounge in New Zealand wondering how inappropriate it would be to have a drink at 9.30 in the morning. Go Liverpool. Here’s to you, from over here.”“Hi Rob!” says Annabelle Garnett. “We did it. I am just so proud and happy with their emphatic win. I am sitting here in my lounge in New Zealand wondering how inappropriate it would be to have a drink at 9.30 in the morning. Go Liverpool. Here’s to you, from over here.”
Given the experiences of the average New Zealand sports fan in the last 12 months, I reckon you’ve earned a special brunch.Given the experiences of the average New Zealand sports fan in the last 12 months, I reckon you’ve earned a special brunch.
Thanks for all your emails. There’s a lot going on,Thanks for all your emails. There’s a lot going on,
and my flight to the Kerguelen Islands leaves in 20 minutes,and my flight to the Kerguelen Islands leaves in 20 minutes,
but I’ll try to publish a few of them. You can also have your say below the line on Andy Hunter’s news story. but I’ll try to publish a few of them. You can also have your say below the line on Andy Hunter’s news story.
More from Sir Kenny Dalglish and his phoneMore from Sir Kenny Dalglish and his phone
“The dressing-room is the same PING! as it was [in 1990]. There’s no arrogance, there’s no Jack-the-lads. They’re all very humane lads. You hear stories about them going in for petrol and paying PING! PING! for everybody’s petrol in the station. They buy people food. They seem to be very PING! human beings, and by the way, as well as being successful, it makes them good lads.“The dressing-room is the same PING! as it was [in 1990]. There’s no arrogance, there’s no Jack-the-lads. They’re all very humane lads. You hear stories about them going in for petrol and paying PING! PING! for everybody’s petrol in the station. They buy people food. They seem to be very PING! human beings, and by the way, as well as being successful, it makes them good lads.
[How will you celebrate?][How will you celebrate?]
“Well, I remember Bob Paisley saying once, after the European Cup win in Rome, that he never had the drink because he wanted to remember the occasion. He got drunk on the atmosphere. Bob [raises a champagne flute and breaks into a jaunty smile], I never took your advice, I’m sorry!”“Well, I remember Bob Paisley saying once, after the European Cup win in Rome, that he never had the drink because he wanted to remember the occasion. He got drunk on the atmosphere. Bob [raises a champagne flute and breaks into a jaunty smile], I never took your advice, I’m sorry!”
And here’s Jonathan Liew’s report from Stamford Bridge.And here’s Jonathan Liew’s report from Stamford Bridge.
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Here’s the great Scott Murray on Liverpool’s second last title victory.Here’s the great Scott Murray on Liverpool’s second last title victory.
Sir Kenny Dalglish is speaking on BT Sport, and his phone is pinging every two seconds.Sir Kenny Dalglish is speaking on BT Sport, and his phone is pinging every two seconds.
“If you’d said it would be 30 years, you’d have been arrested and sectioned. Since Jurgen’s come in, it’s been very positive all the way through. He epitomises everything that Liverpool Football Club stands for. It’s not just a one-off because last year they came within a point of it. By the way, onwards and upwards. I think we’ve got a lot more happy days to look forward to as long as Jurgen’s there.“If you’d said it would be 30 years, you’d have been arrested and sectioned. Since Jurgen’s come in, it’s been very positive all the way through. He epitomises everything that Liverpool Football Club stands for. It’s not just a one-off because last year they came within a point of it. By the way, onwards and upwards. I think we’ve got a lot more happy days to look forward to as long as Jurgen’s there.
“The fans mean an awful lot to the club. They’ll just have to wait a couple of weeks – I’m sure they’ll be a queue outside the pubs on 4th July. There was a wee bit of scepticism about the Liverpool fans waiting outside the ground to see if they’d win the trophy, during lockdown, and what a disrespectful comment that was. They were magnificent: not one of them near the ground. They can behave, and by the way they can give us fantastic support. It is disappointing that they’re not there to see the trophy being won, but they’ll make up for it.”“The fans mean an awful lot to the club. They’ll just have to wait a couple of weeks – I’m sure they’ll be a queue outside the pubs on 4th July. There was a wee bit of scepticism about the Liverpool fans waiting outside the ground to see if they’d win the trophy, during lockdown, and what a disrespectful comment that was. They were magnificent: not one of them near the ground. They can behave, and by the way they can give us fantastic support. It is disappointing that they’re not there to see the trophy being won, but they’ll make up for it.”
First Europe, then the world and now the final frontier: England. Liverpool’s path to global domination may look a bit haphazard, but this is exactly the way it should be. The Premier League was always the one they wanted the most. It’s been an inevitability since 4.43pm on 10 November 2019, when Mo Salah’s exhilarating goal put them 2-0 up at home to Manchester City, and now it’s official: Liverpool are champions of England!First Europe, then the world and now the final frontier: England. Liverpool’s path to global domination may look a bit haphazard, but this is exactly the way it should be. The Premier League was always the one they wanted the most. It’s been an inevitability since 4.43pm on 10 November 2019, when Mo Salah’s exhilarating goal put them 2-0 up at home to Manchester City, and now it’s official: Liverpool are champions of England!
The circumstances are a bit weird, there’s no point denying it. But while Covid-19 may dilute the euphoria of the moment, it doesn’t diminish the achievement one little bit. Two years ago Liverpool finished fourth, 25 points behind Manchester City, and were just another team reduced to domestic irrelevance by Pep Guardiola. But unlike the others, and even though they had three decades of history on their back, Liverpool accepted the challenge of a City side that looked unconquerable.The circumstances are a bit weird, there’s no point denying it. But while Covid-19 may dilute the euphoria of the moment, it doesn’t diminish the achievement one little bit. Two years ago Liverpool finished fourth, 25 points behind Manchester City, and were just another team reduced to domestic irrelevance by Pep Guardiola. But unlike the others, and even though they had three decades of history on their back, Liverpool accepted the challenge of a City side that looked unconquerable.
Ninety-seven points were not enough to win the league last season, so Liverpool raised the bar even higher and broke City’s spirit in the process. City will be back next season, and I’m already salivating at the prospect of that title race, but for now let’s consider one piece of hardcore statistical goodness: in the last two seasons, there has been a 48-point swing between City and Liverpool.Ninety-seven points were not enough to win the league last season, so Liverpool raised the bar even higher and broke City’s spirit in the process. City will be back next season, and I’m already salivating at the prospect of that title race, but for now let’s consider one piece of hardcore statistical goodness: in the last two seasons, there has been a 48-point swing between City and Liverpool.
No team has ever won the English league as emphatically as this. They haven’t had a blip, never mind a full-blown slip. Liverpool have sprinted the marathon, dropping only seven points all season and winning the title with a staggering seven games remaining. You don’t need me to tell you that this is 18.421052631 per cent of the season.No team has ever won the English league as emphatically as this. They haven’t had a blip, never mind a full-blown slip. Liverpool have sprinted the marathon, dropping only seven points all season and winning the title with a staggering seven games remaining. You don’t need me to tell you that this is 18.421052631 per cent of the season.
Liverpool’s triumph brooks not a solitary argument. They are everything you could want in a football team. An irresistible mixture of skill, speed and aggression; a group of players with an almost demented refusal to accept a draw, never mind defeat. They are a team in the image of their coach, Jurgen Klopp, the kind of man for whom even the most indolent Everton fan would run to the ends of the earth. Or at least try for a couple of hundred yards before giving up and going home. It’s the thought that counts. Look, they wouldn’t have done it for Roy Hodgson or even Gerard Houllier.Liverpool’s triumph brooks not a solitary argument. They are everything you could want in a football team. An irresistible mixture of skill, speed and aggression; a group of players with an almost demented refusal to accept a draw, never mind defeat. They are a team in the image of their coach, Jurgen Klopp, the kind of man for whom even the most indolent Everton fan would run to the ends of the earth. Or at least try for a couple of hundred yards before giving up and going home. It’s the thought that counts. Look, they wouldn’t have done it for Roy Hodgson or even Gerard Houllier.
For most of the 2010s we talked about Guardiola or Mourinho, but at this rate Klopp will blindside them both and establish himself as the greatest manager of his generation. He’s a grinning, cackling, gegenpressing, official replica baseball cap-wearing genius.For most of the 2010s we talked about Guardiola or Mourinho, but at this rate Klopp will blindside them both and establish himself as the greatest manager of his generation. He’s a grinning, cackling, gegenpressing, official replica baseball cap-wearing genius.
We’ll have plenty of coverage of Liverpool’s triumph in the next few minutes, hours and days. Let’s start with Andy Hunter’s report on the news that, yes, it really, really, really did happen. Liverpool are Premier League champions!We’ll have plenty of coverage of Liverpool’s triumph in the next few minutes, hours and days. Let’s start with Andy Hunter’s report on the news that, yes, it really, really, really did happen. Liverpool are Premier League champions!