Liverpool's perfect Anfield day, 35 years in the making
The precious prize was handed from one legendary Liverpool captain and centre-back to another.
Accepting the spoils from Alan Hansen, Virgil van Dijk planted a kiss on the Premier League trophy, strolled in front of his jubilant team-mates and thrust it towards the heavens. Fireworks and red ticker tape filled the early evening air as a roar swept around Anfield.
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It had been 35 years and 24 days since former Scotland international Hansen became the last Liverpool skipper to lift the league championship in front of supporters. That claim to fame now belongs to their inspirational Dutch talisman, whose classy idea it was to involve Hansen in Sunday's presentation ceremony.
This had been the moment everyone connected with the club had waited for since their record-equalling 20th top-flight title was wrapped up against Tottenham Hotspur a month ago and it lived up to its billing.
'It felt amazing,' Van Dijk said as he addressed the crowd. 'You guys deserve it. We deserve it as well. We love you guys. I'm so proud of the boys. Let's enjoy the biggest party ever.'
Five years ago, Liverpool's title triumph under Jurgen Klopp was bittersweet as the global pandemic meant they were denied all the trappings that should have come with ending a 30-year drought in such emphatic style.
This time there is no holding back and Monday's parade around the streets of the city promises to create more unforgettable memories.
On his first trip back to Anfield since stepping down a year ago, a beaming Klopp stood applauding in the directors' box as the man who replaced him proudly led the squad out for the trophy lift.
Arne Slot's name boomed around the stadium. What an incredible job he has done. So much for that tricky transition after losing an icon. All expectations have been exceeded.
The 10-point gap to second-placed Arsenal does not really do justice to the scale of Liverpool's dominance this season. They hit the front in November and never looked like being caught. A return of just two points out of the past 12 on offer once the title had been won means the final table flatters those beneath them.
Chairman Tom Werner, who had flown in from the United States for the occasion along with fellow owners John W Henry and Mike Gordon, told reporters: 'A very emotional day. It's been a magical season.
'Arne deserves so much credit. He's an extraordinary coach. He inherited a good team and got the best out of them. He's authentic. He never tries to be somebody else.'
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Fenway Sports Group CEO Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes remained in the directors' box rather than coming down onto the field in the thick of the wild celebrations, but their contribution to getting a new era at Anfield off to such a flying start should not be overlooked. Key appointments were nailed in the wake of Klopp's decision to leave. The right environment was created.
It was the perfect finale with no unwanted distractions or sideshows. Concerns that all the noise surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold's impending move to Real Madrid might dent the party spirit proved misplaced. Common sense prevailed, with no repeat of the booing that accompanied his every touch against Arsenal a fortnight earlier.
Trent Alexander-Arnold comes on for his final game for Liverpool 🔴 pic.twitter.com/rvQQ0x9apG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 25, 2025
Klopp had told guests at an LFC Foundation dinner in the city on Friday night that he was so disappointed with how the vice-captain was treated that he turned his TV off in disgust. 'I don't tell you you should not be angry or you should not be disappointed, I tell you don't forget,' Klopp said. 'This isn't us. He gave absolutely everything.'
Slot had banged the same drum in his programme notes as he wrote about 'a day for unity and celebration', adding: 'Nothing can be allowed to get in the way. Whatever might divide us can wait for another day. Whatever could distract us can be put to one side.'
The message got through loud and clear. There were renditions of the Steven Gerrard song after Alexander-Arnold replaced Conor Bradley at the start of the second half — a nod to the kind of legacy he has relinquished by opting to move on.
But for the most part there was an outpouring of respect and thanks for the 20 years of service he has given Liverpool as cheers replaced jeers. This was exactly the send-off Alexander-Arnold deserved and you could see what it meant to him as he was reduced to tears.
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'I didn't know what to expect stepping out at Anfield after what happened a few weeks ago,' he told Sky Sports. 'I wanted to play for the club one more time and Arne trusted me to play. To get the reception I got means more than anything. I've played hundreds of games for the club but I've never felt so loved and cared for as today.
'Hand on my heart I hope one day the fans will be able to recognise the hard work and everything I have done for the team. It's been an honour and privilege to be part of. I'll remember this day. It goes down as the best day of my life.'
Mohamed Salah, who will be back hungry for more come August, left laden with silverware after being presented with both the Premier League Golden Boot and Playmaker awards in recognition of his remarkable tally of 29 league goals and 18 assists.
The Egyptian attacker's finish from Cody Gakpo's nod down six minutes from time ensured Liverpool avoided defeat in their final game of the campaign — despite having Ryan Gravenberch sent off for a professional foul on Daichi Kamada midway through the second half. Crystal Palace had been good value for a first-half lead given to them by Ismaila Sarr.
Not content with having already broken the record for goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League season, Salah also equalled the record of 47 jointly held by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole over a 42-game season. This was the first campaign in his Liverpool career in which he has started every league game.
The mood was joyous throughout with a mosaic covering the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand and the Kop reading 'Campione 20'. A giant banner covering almost the entire width of the Kop displayed the message: 'A team that plays the Liverpool Way and wins the championship in May.'
It was a touch of class that having received a guard of honour before kick-off, Slot's side then returned the compliment for the FA Cup winners.
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The deafening chant of 'champions, champions' was never-ending as an array of red balloons floated across the playing surface. As well as Klopp, the guest list included legendary Anfield figures Dalglish, Rafa Benitez, Gerrard and Jordan Henderson.
The action on the field felt inconsequential in comparison to the noise and fervour emanating from the stands. This was an occasion to savour and summer transfer plans are already in full swing to give Liverpool the best possible chance of building on this triumph.
There will be no standing still, with a £30million ($41m) deal for Jeremie Frimpong already in place and the club in negotiations to sign his Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Florian Wirtz for what would be a club-record fee.
'We'll go again. We owe it to all our supporters,' Werner added.
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