It’s official, Liverpool is Premier League champions. The best in the land.
Right now, all that will matter to supporters is seeing Virgil van Dijk haul the trophy above his head in a few weeks’ time, and the satisfaction that will bring. For match-going fans, this has been a long time coming. Thirty-five long years.
There was another title in that period, of course – one that very much counts and should never be forgotten about or overlooked – but the inability for fans to celebrate it explains why Sunday’s success aroused such strong emotions for Reds.
But in the history books, it also means Liverpool move level on titles with Manchester United. That Liverpool’s biggest rivals can no longer taunt fans over that particular statistic will feel especially sweet.
It was 12 years ago when United was last crowned champions. That feels a long time ago and a lot has changed at Old Trafford and Anfield since. At the time, it was fair to wonder whether Liverpool would ever reclaim a spot “back on its perch”. Now the same sentiments surround United.
“Who can say that he has been a champion in England? I can. Even Steven Gerrard did not succeed,” the eminently forgettable Alexander Buttner remarked a few years later, a needless jibe that Liverpool fans will remember well.
Buttner played five games in United’s 2012/13 triumph – far from a vital component of Sir Alex Ferguson’s last title-winning side. Having a winner’s medal doesn’t tell the full story.
In truth, the same could be said for several members of Arne Slot’s team – but the ‘24/25 edition also underlines the legendary status that five members of this squad have now achieved. Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah are all set to collect a second league winners’ medal, five years after claiming a first.
Unlike Buttner, the quintet have all played integral roles in both of those triumphs. The four outfielders played at least 33 games in 2019/20 and, this season have each featured in 31+ off the 34 matches so far.
Salah has played in every single one and Van Dijk hasn’t missed a minute. Should the Dutchman continue that record over the course of the campaign, he would become the first player in Premier League history to play every minute of two title-winning seasons. He is also set to add his name to the pantheon of legendary Premier League captains to lift the trophy.
Salah hasn’t had a bad season either – he is on course for a fourth Golden Boot and is a goal or assist away from breaking the Premier League goal involvement record for a single season.
(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Alexander-Arnold has grabbed vital goals against Aston Villa and Leicester City on the way and contributed a smattering of important assists, too. Even in the midst of his ongoing transfer uncertainty, the right-back has maintained the sort of level which has convinced the European champions of his worth.
As for Robertson, it has been a difficult campaign at times, with the Scotland captain himself admitting his form has dropped. However, he has still played 31 games and earned 27 starts in a title-winning side.
Alisson has missed more matches than his teammates due to injury – as was the case five years ago – but no-one questions his input this season. He will be remembered as one of the Premier League greats when he calls time on his stint in England.
So will Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Robertson and Salah, all of whom could stake a claim for being the best in their individual positions during the Premier League era. The number of titles may not help in that regard – there’s a handful in Manchester who racked up several wins under Ferguson and Pep Guardiola. Again, that alone doesn’t tell the full story.
Playing crucial roles in title-winning sides five years apart – and under different managers – points to the Liverpool stars’ longevity at the top level. Only 21 previous players have done that, most of whom played in the 2004/05 Chelsea side, or the Manchester City team of 2011/12.
John Terry, Sergio Aguero, Didier Drogba, Vincent Kompany, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and David Silva are but a few of the stellar names on that list, one that the Liverpool quintet have now joined.
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Robertson and Salah are now Premier League stars; bona-fide legends who will be held in the highest regards by Reds and detested by rivals. If that was up for debate before, their status has now been firmly validated.
