Fireworks, flares and deafening anthems stuffed Anfield as Liverpool clinched a record-equaling twentieth English Premier League title with a thumping 5-1 win over Tottenham on Sunday, delivering a fairytale ending to Arne Slot’s first season in cost.
The end result confirmed what had lengthy appeared inevitable. Liverpool, after main the desk for 206 days, matched Manchester United’s document haul of league championships – and this time, they did it with their followers at their aspect.
Slot, drenched in champagne by his jubilant gamers, stood within the heart circle after the ultimate whistle, grinning as he led supporters in a spontaneous tribute to his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp.
“Everyone was sitting on the bus saying there is no way we are going to lose this game,” Slot stated, savoring the second.
The get together had began lengthy earlier than kickoff. Red smoke stuffed the streets exterior Anfield as 1000’s of followers, draped in Liverpool scarves and waving banners of membership icons, gathered hours early.
Despite a shock early objective from Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke, Liverpool roared again with a fury.
Goals from Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, and Cody Gakpo despatched the Reds into halftime with a commanding 3-1 lead. Mohamed Salah and a Destiny Udogie own-goal sealed the rout after the break.
Salah, Liverpool’s talisman, celebrated by snapping a selfie with roaring followers after scoring his thirty third objective throughout all competitions this season.
“This is way better, 100%,” Salah stated, contrasting this title celebration with Liverpool’s 2020 triumph, which occurred behind closed doorways through the COVID-19 pandemic. “It feels more special with the fans.”
Slot’s achievement is historic in some ways. He turned the primary Dutch coach to win the Premier League, succeeding the place greats like Louis van Gaal and Guus Hiddink fell brief. Only 4 different managers – Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Manuel Pellegrini and Antonio Conte – have gained the title of their debut Premier League seasons.
“It’s a big job, and the manager did it in his own way,” captain Virgil van Dijk stated. “He definitely deserves a lot of credit.”
Slot, employed from Feyenoord final 12 months, paid tribute to Liverpool’s possession group for taking an opportunity on him. “Maybe now everyone says it makes complete sense,” he stated, “but when they signed me, maybe not everyone was convinced. It shows what a special club this is.”
Even Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, whose aspect Slot dethroned, supplied heat congratulations on a “well-deserved” title.
Elsewhere in England
At Bournemouth, Rasmus Hojlund spared Manchester United from one more league loss. His injury-time objective salvaged a 1-1 draw after Antoine Semenyo’s first-half strike put Bournemouth forward.
The hosts missed possibilities to increase their lead, hitting the submit and forcing key saves from Andre Onana, earlier than Evanilson’s pink card within the seventieth minute swung momentum to United. Hojlund’s last-gasp end, his ninth objective of the season, lifted United into 14th place within the standings.
Meanwhile, Manchester City stored their hopes of silverware alive, reaching the FA Cup closing for the third straight 12 months. Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol scored in both half at Wembley to dispatch Nottingham Forest 2-0. City will face Crystal Palace for the trophy on May 17.
Source: www.dailysabah.com