There is a lot of talk about the moment you knew Liverpool won the Premier League. Of course, no one is referring to Willian’s penalty kick against Manchester City last Thursday, but the specific moment when you knew the Reds were champions of the Premier League from a moment of their own genius, desire, and self-confidence.
I have my own answer and it goes back to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. When the final whistle sounded in Madrid and Liverpool won its sixth European Cup last June, I was lucky enough to be there, lucky enough to be with emotionally overwhelmed friends. They had all been through the turmoil of realizing that this incredible team would somehow be left empty-handed just so they could win the ultimate price of the games in the most significant way.
At that moment I knew that they would not be denied. As the people around me watched the blur of joyful tears, I was overwhelmed by a calm feeling of inner certainty. I watched a team that won the championship title the following season. There is an argument that City knew too. They had commendably made every effort to deny the Reds despite a 97-point move. They knew that they were getting older, about to lose their captain, and had just seen Jürgen Klopp somehow win a cup that they wanted more than the league for which they had just given their all. They knew.
So when the question is pondered and people start asking, “When did you know that?”, Think back a little bit, instead of answering Mohamed Salah in Anfield against Manchester United or Roberto Firmino against Wolves. The building blocks for this moment were really embedded in 2018/19. And nothing prevented these dreams from becoming reality a year later.
What I read on Liverpool.com
Looking ahead to next year, this is an excellent piece by Ollie Connolly dealing with transfers to AFCON and how the landscape for Liverpool and Klopp can change very quickly. I also know that I may be late for the party, but Josh Williams’ insight into Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and the general problem with the left foot was a real insight into an issue that the club will undoubtedly address.
What I’m seeing right now
I recently launched HBO’s I May Destroy You and I have to say it’s an absolutely brilliant job. Michaela Cole, who airs on BBC, is brilliant in the leading role, in the production and in the direction, and my word, the soundtrack is absolutely on fire. Worth a watch if you don’t have it.
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