Jordan Henderson – currently out injured – received the trophy from Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish on a special podium built on the Kop after Jurgen Klopp’s side made it three full unbeaten Premier League seasons at Anfield.
Liverpool celebrated receiving the title trophy for the first time in 30 years in style as the new Premier League champions overcame Chelsea in a thriller at Anfield. Chelsea, who now need a point from their final game at home to Wolves on Sunday to confirm a place in the top four – and next season’s Champions League – started well.
But Liverpool moved through the gears after Naby Keita broke the deadlock with a rising 25-yard drive, and they added further goals before the breakthrough Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fine free-kick and Gini Wijnaldum’s close-range strike.
Olivier Giroud scrambled in for Chelsea on the stroke of half-time but their hopes of a comeback appeared to be snuffed out 10 minutes after the break when Roberto Firmino headed in his first Premier League home goal of the season from Alexander-Arnold’s cross.
Chelsea substitute Christian Pulisic then had a dramatic impact as he sparked a Chelsea fight back, creating a goal for Tammy Abraham and then scoring another himself on the turn as this entertaining game took an unexpected turn.
To the thunderous sound of fireworks being let off outside Anfield by celebrating fans, the champions pressed forward again and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain slammed home the fifth from Andy Robertson’s cross with six minutes left.
And then it was time for the ceremony Liverpool have waited three decades to enjoy – albeit conducted in the somewhat surreal surroundings of a virtually empty stadium.
Liverpool irresistible to the end
Liverpool may have secured the title with seven games to go and Chelsea – but there is a relentless quality about the drive and motivation of Jurgen Klopp’s team. They showed that against opponents who still needed that crucial point to assure a place in next season’s Champions League.
Chelsea were the better team early on but Liverpool produced on those spells after the midway point in the first half in which they are simply irresistible. Liverpool scored three goals and even when Chelsea threatened an unlikely resurgence, they rose to the challenge again to confirm the win through substitute Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Mohamed Salah could have pushed his claims for the Golden Boot but missed several chances – while Keita distinguished himself with a superb strike and excellent performance.
Once again, Liverpool refused to finish second best in a show of character and quality. It was a fitting way for Liverpool to round off another unbeaten league season at Anfield and the perfect set-up for those title presentation celebrations.
Source BBC News
In other news – Norman Mapeza’s 2 million missed jackpot
Norman Mapeza’s 2 million missed jackpot. IT was the dream move — Harry Rednapp desperately wanted him, Rio Ferdinand had been impressed by him and West Ham were ready to bring him on board.
It meant he lost out on a jackpot of about £2 million, had he signed the three-year contract Redknapp was prepared to offer him at West Ham, with an average annual wage of about £451 000, plus additional earnings in bonuses…continue reading.
