Liverpool confirmed its status as 2024/25 Premier League champions with a 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on a red-raw day of emotions for Arne Slot’s side.
After all the hype and expectation, the team delivered and put in an excellent display to clinch the title, establishing a 15-point gap to Arsenal with four matches remaining. There was a minor early hiccup with Dominic Solanke heading in the opener, only for the Reds to respond with first-half goals from Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo.
Mohamed Salah got in on the act after the break, curling in from a Liverpool breakaway after he cut inside. The Egyptian tried to claim the fifth, although replays showed it clearly went in via Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie.
Here are the main talking points from Anfield as Liverpool wrapped up the title in style.
Historic occasion
The title confirmation was more than just another notch on the belt of Liverpool – Sunday’s victory draws the Reds level with rivals Manchester United on 20 top-flight titles. Gary Neville noted pre-match how that all but ends the debate about the country’s biggest club and should cause “real tremors” at Old Trafford. A penny for the thought of Sir Kenny Dalglish as he watched from the stands, while other Liverpool legends such as Ian Rush, Alan Hansen and Jan Molby were in attendance. History also repeated itself for the Reds, who also came from a goal down to beat Spurs on the final day of the 1981/82 season.
Slot true to his word
The Liverpool head coach insisted he would treat Sunday’s game as any other. Observers may have scoffed at that suggestion, but his touchline antics showed he was living an breathing every kick. He screamed in fury as Mac Allister was punished for a foul in the first period and when a throw-in decision went against Andy Robertson soon after. There was barely a smile throughout, excluding when the ball repeatedly hit the back of the Tottenham net.
He’s now in the pantheon of greats; a 12th Premier League-winning coach, a first Dutchman and the fifth to win the title in his first season. He’s now even level with a certain Jurgen Klopp in terms of Premier League trophy wins. He did afford himself to celebrate two minutes before the end – with Liverpool four goal ahead he shook hands with Ange Postecoglou and celebrated with his coaching staff at full-time. Slot’s name rang around Anfield during the early stages of the second half – to the tune Klopp chanted in his final game in charge nearly a year ago. That seems like a long time ago…
Significant goals
Diaz got the ball rolling for the Reds with his third goal in the last four matches – as many as he netted in the previous 13. Mac Allister added a second with his first left-footed goal of his career, a week on from Trent Alexander-Arnold achieving the same feat, while Gakpo slotted in a third with an intelligent side-foot finish to net his first since January. Salah naturally made it four as he grabbed his 46th goal involvement of the season – the most in a 38-game season. He celebrated by grabbed a phone and taking a pitchside selfie. It was also the 30th league match the Reds have scored – a run stretching back to the Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest in September.
Calls answered
Liverpool fans had plenty requested of them ahead of Sunday’s game. Virgil van Dijk called for a ‘sea of red’ from the supporters, urging them to wear the club’s primary color, while Slot asked fans to arrive early and create an electric atmosphere. Both were matched and more by the expectant fanbase, who held scarves, waved flags and belted out You’ll Never Walk Alone from a resplendent Kop End as the teams emerged onto the sun-kissed pitch.
In reality, it began before the team even arrived, with a remarkable welcome awaiting the team bus as it pulled into the ground. Another call on fans to abide by the safety measures and avoid a reroute was granted by the loyal fanbase. Even Slot admitted he was impressed by the intensity of support that greeted the side. Plumes of red smoke meant some found it difficult to see the bus pull in to the car park – but for the players, the path ahead was clear: getting the job done was the priority.
Bradley missed out
Slot was asked ahead of the game whether Conor Bradley would be available to play 90 minutes on Sunday, something he claimed was a possibility. Instead, the Northern Ireland international didn’t play a single minute as injury ruled him out. A knock sustained in training during the week meant physios felt it was wise for the Bradley to be rested given his injury woes this season – but Slot confirmed the right-back should be back to face Chelsea next week.
