Jurgen Klopp’s side end three-decade wait for league title after Man City defeat; Reds move one behind Manchester United’s record haul
Liverpool have finally ended their 30-year wait for a 19th top-flight title after Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Thursday night.
Jurgen Klopp’s side, who thrashed Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday, have sealed their first Premier League crown with seven games still to play after City dropped points in a dramatic encounter at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool have enjoyed a stunning season that has seen them beaten just once in the league so far – a shock 3-0 loss at struggling Watford in February – to open up an unassailable 23-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side in second.
Their unstoppable march towards the league title was temporarily halted by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic back in March, with the Reds just two wins from glory.
And though Merseyside rivals Everton held them to a goalless draw following the resumption of the Premier League this month, they did not have much longer to wait to rubberstamp their 2019/20 triumph.
Liverpool, who have followed up last season’s Champions League title with Premier League silverware, now stand just one behind Manchester United’s record-breaking haul of 20 top-flight titles.
Klopp’s side still have plenty to play for between now and the end of the campaign as they go in search of a whole host of records to break, including the most ever wins and points in a Premier League season, as well as the record number of points in an English league campaign.
Jurgen Klopp, speaking to Sky Sports: “There’s a sense of relief because after the three-month interruption no one knew how the season would come back. This is for all of the fans. I hope they celebrate it, it’s all in our hearts and our heads, we do it all together and it’s a joy to do this for the fans.
“I have no words. It is unbelievable, much more than I thought was possible. Becoming champions with this club is absolutely incredible. This is for Kenny, for Stevie – everyone! The Manchester City game was really tense, I didn’t want to be involved. It was intense but it is incredible from my players. What they have done over the last few years in exceptional and it’s a pure joy for me to coach them.
“This is a big moment, I have no real words. I am completely overwhelmed. I never thought I would feel like this…”
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, speaking to Sky Sports: “[It feels] Amazing. I didn’t want to talk about it until this moment so it’s amazing to finally get over the line. I’m so happy for all the boys, the fans, the whole club, the city. I’m a little bit overwhelmed right now, it’s an amazing feeling and I’m just so proud of what we’ve achieved.
“I said after the Champions League final that it wouldn’t be possible to do it without the manager and it’s the same with this title. Everything from when he came in, and that’s no disrespect to the managers before him or who I’ve worked with before because we have come close but I felt from day one, he came in the door and he just changed everything.”
Liverpool’s brilliance by numbers
- Liverpool already have seven points more than their last title-winning season in 1989/90 (79 points – P38 W23 D10 L5).
- The Reds also have more points already than seven previous Premier League champions (most recently Leicester -81 points in 2015/16).
- They have beaten every team they have faced in the Premier League this season – the first time they have done so in the top division.
- Jurgen Klopp’s side have completed nine Premier League doubles over sides this season – they would complete 16 win doubles should they win all remaining games, setting a new English top division record (13 for Man City, last season and 2017/18).
- Liverpool have won a top-flight record 23 consecutive home victories, scoring 67 goals in those games and conceding just 15 in reply.
- They went a club record 44 league games unbeaten (W39 D5) before a 3-0 defeat vs Watford (A), Feb 29 – the second-longest unbeaten run in the top division history behind Arsenal’s 49 games (May 2003-Oct 2004)
- They won 18 successive PL games between Oct 27 and Feb 24, equalling Man City’s top division record (Aug-Dec 2017).
- Liverpool have now scored 100+ goals in all competitions for a third consecutive season, the first time they have done so since 1986-87 (eight in a row).