Liverpool are Premier League champions after coming from behind against Spurs
CHAMPIONS: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah takes a selfie with a fans. Pic: AP Photo/Jon Super.
Arne Slot’s incredible first season at Liverpool culminated in a record-equalling 20th league title for his club, thanks to a 5-1 win over Tottenham at Anfield.
The success sparked scenes of wild celebration at a club whose supporters have not seen their team win the biggest prize in English club football in person for 35 years.
Liverpool had to come from behind to record the success as Slot joined an exclusive list of managers who have won the Premier League in their first season in it: Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Manuel Pellegrini and Antonio Conte the others.
But the biggest cheer of the day undoubtedly centred around the wildly popular Mo Salah getting on the scoresheet after 63 minutes when he cut in, receiving Dominik Szoboszlai’s pass and firing into the net.
He marked his 28th league goal of the season by jumping into the crowd and taking a selfie with a fan’s camera phone.
The atmosphere was building outside Anfield for hours before kickoff, the Liverpool air filled with red smoke from flares and fireworks that were let off well before the title was mathematically confirmed And thousands remained locked outside the stadium throughout the contest which confirmed the one point Liverpool needed to be certain of not being overtaken in the table by second placed Arsenal.
Celebrations were delayed, for four minutes at least, when Tottenham had the audacity to take the lead, already against the run of play, through former Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke.
He rose impressively to meet James Maddison’s corner and head past Alisson from six yards and Anfield, which had been simmering all afternoon, was stunned into silence for the first time.
But in the 16th minute, Mo Salah’s pass allowed Szoboszlai to lay a low cross through the six-yard box for Luis Diaz to force the ball in.
It was immediately ruled out on the field by referee Thomas Bramall for offside but a quick check by the automated VAR informed him that the goal was legitimate and Anfield started its celebrations.
The mood transmitted itself to the players and, after 24 minutes, Mathys Tel was caught on the edge of the area by Ryan Gravenberch and the ball broke for Alexis Mac Allister whose tremendous strike from the edge of the area flew in.
It was the Argentinian’s first ever left-footed goal in his Premier League career, not a bad time to get off the mark, and summed up the mood of the day.
The question now, was by how many Liverpool would win, especially when Cody Gakpo made it 3-1 after 33 minutes.
Mac Allister’s corner was met by a disastrous clearance from Lucas Bergvall who steered the ball directly to Gakpo who turned a well-aimed finish past Guglielmo Vicario from 15 yards.
The outcome was settled long before Salah’s goal and Liverpool did not relent, with Destiny Udogie panicked into putting the ball into his own net on 69 minutes as Salah looked ready to turn in a Diogo Jota cross.
It was a nice nod to the last time Liverpool had won the title in front of supporters, one day short of 35 years ago, when they had to come from a goal down against London opponents, in this case QPR, before a 2-1 win clinched their 18th league title.
Title number 19 did not come until Jurgen Klopp’s team won the league in 2020, although that success came, of course, during the season of Covid lockdown and was played out behind closed doors.
Now Slot’s debut season has ended in a 20th title triumph, one that puts them level with Manchester United for the most in the history of English football.
Tottenham made eight changes for the visit to Anfield, with an eye on Thursday’s Europa League semi-final with Bodo Glimt, and struggled to even get out of their half in the second period.
Alisson 6; Alexander-Arnold 7 (Endo 76, 5), Konate 7, van Dijk 7, Robertson 6; Gravenberch 8, Mac Allister 9 (Nunez 83); Salah 7, Szoboszlai 8 (Jota 68, 6), Gakpo 7 (Jota 68, 7); Diaz 7 (Elliott 76, 5).
Chiesa, Kelleher, Quansah, Tsimikas.
Vicario 5; Spence 5, Danso 5, Davies 6, Udogie 4; Bergvall 4, Gray 5 (Sarr 46, 5), Maddison 6 (Kulusevski 46, 5); Johnson 5, Solanke 7 (Richarlison 68, 5), Tel 4 (Odobert 68, 5).
Bissouma, Kinsky, Porro, Romero, van de Ven.
T Bramall 7
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
