LONDON: Thirty years of hurt came to an end for Liverpool when they were confirmed as Premier League champions courtesy of second-placed Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat by Chelsea. The result at Stamford Bridge means Liverpool have an unassailable 23-point lead over City with seven games left. Liverpool were last champions of England when they won the old First Division title in 1989-90 after which a decline in fortunes saw Manchester United and Arsenal, then Chelsea and Manchester City seize power.

Inspirational manager Juergen Klopp has rekindled the Anfield flame though and delivered the club’s 19th top-flight title, one behind arch-rivals United’s record of 20, after finishing runners-up to City in a thrilling race last season. As the Chelsea game moved into stoppage time at an empty stadium in London, 350km away outside Anfield Liverpool fans began lighting red flares as the celebrations began in earnest. Also watching from afar was an emotional Klopp.

“I have no words, it’s unbelievable and much more than I ever thought would be possible,” he told Sky Sports after being congratulated by Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish, manager of the 1989-90 title winners. “It’s easy to motivate this team because of our great history. It’s pure joy for me to coach them.”

HAPPY DAYS

In the last 12 months Liverpool have won the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and World Club Cup, but regaining their status as top dogs in England, something that was almost a given in the 1970s and 1980s, was the priority.

“Juergen has been fantastic and epitomises everything Liverpool Football Club stands for,” Dalglish, told BT Sport. “And it’s not just a one-off, last year they came within a point of it and this year they have only lost once. “Onwards and upwards, I think they have a lot more happy days to look forward to now.” Despite the COVID-19 pandemic forcing a three-month suspension of the season and delaying Liverpool’s coronation, they have won the title with a record seven games to spare.

They eclipsed the mark jointly held by Manchester United (2000-01) and Manchester City (2017-18), who sealed their respective titles with five games left. City manager Pep Guardiola paid tribute to Liverpool.

“Big congratulations for Liverpool,” said the Spaniard, whose title-winning side finished 25 points ahead of Klopp’s team two seasons ago and pipped them by a point last term. “After 30 years without the title they played every game this season like it was their last with incredible focus. We were not consistent enough,” he added.

RECORD PACE

Had it not been for the unprecedented stoppage Liverpool were on course to smash the record for the earliest clinching of the league title. Instead, they are now the first team to lift the coveted trophy as late as June. Liverpool finished last season with nine straight league wins and, after claiming the Champions League by beating Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid, began the new campaign in relentless fashion to leave rivals trailing in their wake.

With 28 wins and one defeat in 31 games, Liverpool have set a record-breaking pace and were 25 points clear in February — the biggest lead in Premier League history. When they beat West Ham United that month it was their 18th successive top-flight win, matching Manchester City’s record, before their hopes of an unbeaten season were dashed by a 3-0 defeat at Watford, a result that was merely a blip.

Leading the charge has been Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian forward who is the first Liverpool player to score at least 20 goals in all competitions in three consecutive seasons since Michael Owen at the start of the millennium. Salah scored on Wednesday as Liverpool thrashed Crystal Palace 4-0 at Anfield — a result that meant City had to beat Chelsea to delay the inevitable for a while longer. City were the first team to breach the 100-point barrier in the Premier League two seasons ago but Liverpool are on course to shatter that mark, as well as records for most points at home (55) and most wins in a season (32).

Meanwhile, thousands of Liverpool fans celebrated their Premier League title win outside the club’s Anfield Stadium on Thursday as their 30 year wait for the league crown came to an end. Juergen Klopp’s side secured the title after second-placed Manchester City lost 2-1 to Chelsea in London meaning the Merseyside club could not be caught with a 23 point lead over City with seven games remaining. Despite social distancing rules and restrictions on public gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Liverpool supporters flooded to Anfield to show their joy at the team’s success.

Fans turned the sky red with flares and fireworks and sang the club’s famous songs and chants, including the team’s anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. The celebrations also took over the city centre, with the Cunard Building, by the Pier Head, lit up in red for the night. Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday and the fans were not allowed in the stadium with all Premier League games since the restart being held behind closed doors.

Cars were kept out of the area by police but supporters blared their horns in jubilation. “We have all waited so long, everyone who has been involved in the club, they had been desperate to bring the title home for the supporters,” former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports. “You see the scenes tonight.”

The Liverpool players gathered at a local hotel and after watching the broadcast of the game from Stamford Bridge celebrated among themselves, away from the supporters. “We won’t tell you the exact location but we are all in a hotel together as a team,” said full back Andy Robertson. “We thought something hopefully special was going to happen and that’s how it turned out.”  — Reuters