Liverpool had exploded with joy long before the final whistle was blown against Spurs, but full-time brought with it the first real chance for the players to revel in what they have achieved this season.
Until then, Virgil van Dijk and co had been absolutely insistent that they were thinking no further ahead than the next game and the next challenge. Now, even those most hell-bent on what’s next will be taking a moment to relish in the here and now.
“You have to try to keep your eyes on your own team, your own performances,” Van Dijk said in a press conference. “That’s the only way, in my opinion: consistency and to success.
“I’m glad we did because that’s still the most difficult thing in life, not only in football but in life: to be consistent. And if you have that consistency, just to keep it. I’m glad we did. Like I said, we have to be proud of ourselves and enjoy it all, soak it all in.”
On the field, the Liverpool players celebrated wildly, with each getting their chance to jump up and down in front of The Kop. They did a lap of honor, and Arne Slot gave a short speech in which he thanked Jurgen Klopp.
(Image: ibrahimakonate (Instagram))
Then, inside the bowels of Anfield’s Main Stand, the party continued. In the home dressing room. Trent Alexander-Arnold led the singing of Gala’s Freed From Desire and Slot took something of a backseat.
Eventually, those in the home sections of Anfield filtered out onto the streets, where there were already tens of thousands making it impossible to move. The chances of the Liverpool players being able to go anywhere for hours after the final whistle were close to zero, and so they stayed inside with their families.
(Image: natalialbecker (Instagram))
Several of them, including Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson, had photos on the pitch. Konate even took the chance to go and sit in the stand to see what it is like watching Liverpool as a supporter.
Stars including Diogo Jota and Alisson Becker, with young children, took the chance to revel in the moment with their families, while Alexis Mac Allister, who scored a brilliant goal in the game, had a picture with former midfielder turned youth coach Jay Spearing.
Each and every one appeared to be making the most of the day, celebrating inside Anfield as well as on the pitch. Just like around the city region, the party went on well into the night.
(Image: jayspeo8 (Instagram))
Liverpool still has four Premier League games left to play, though they are meaningless in terms of the results. Next up is a trip to Chelsea, though there will be a limited amount of training happening at the start of the week in the build-up.
“This is going to hopefully go on for four weeks to be honest with you,” Robertson joked in one post-match interview. The countdown to the final game of the campaign against Crystal Palace, when Van Dijk will lift the trophy, is very much on. And four weeks today, the title parade will be held on the streets of Liverpool.
