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Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
James Pearce Reveals how Liverpool Players Celebrated Winning the Premier League Title
Liverpool's Title Party: A Night to Remember at Anfield When Liverpool clinched their 20th top-flight title with a resounding 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, it was always going to be a night to remember. Inside the plush Carlsberg Dugout bar at Anfield, the celebrations stretched into the early hours, with players, staff, family and friends soaking up the glory. Advertisement As James Pearce of The Athletic reported, the DJ kept the dancefloor alive with requests, as players in 'Champions 24-25' shirts sang along to favourites like Sultans of Swing – a season-long anthem courtesy of Alisson's Spotify playlist. Arne Slot, Liverpool's trailblazing manager and the first Dutchman to win England's top flight, stayed true to his promise, enjoying 'a glass of beer or two or three' with his family. True to the camaraderie Slot has fostered, there were no speeches, no forced formalities – just pure, heartfelt celebration. Photo: IMAGO Emotional Reflections Under the Kop While the party raged indoors, a few poignant moments unfolded on the hallowed turf. Virgil van Dijk, dressed in his tracksuit, and other players returned to the pitch for photos with their families. Perhaps the most stirring image, as captured by James Pearce, was Ibrahima Konaté sitting alone in the Main Stand, looking out over an empty Anfield. Advertisement 'I don't have words to describe what I felt,' Konaté said. 'I just wanted to enjoy the moment on my own. I was close to crying. It's crazy, unbelievable, and we have to really enjoy it now.' For Konaté, the first French Liverpool player to lift the English title, it was a deeply personal moment amid the chaos of celebration. Respect, Unity and Symbolism The post-match festivities were peppered with wonderful gestures symbolising Liverpool's unity and respect. Darwin Núñez's attempt to soak Mohamed Salah was a classic party prank – but tellingly, it was alcohol-free Nozeco in the bottles, showing respect for the team's Muslim players. Advertisement Salah's iconic selfie with the Kop – organised with a club photographer's phone – encapsulated the players' deep bond with the fans. 'I worked my mind a little bit around that idea and it was fine,' Salah explained to Opus Sport. Photo: IMAGO Meanwhile, Curtis Jones created lifelong memories by lifting young supporter Harry Whitehurst onto the pitch, a beautiful extension of their relationship built over the season. Anfield and Beyond: Celebrations Continue Outside the stadium, fireworks and red flares lit up the Liverpool skyline. Even after 3am, the streets around Anfield were thronged with supporters, climbing lamp posts and rooftops to soak up the atmosphere. Advertisement Back inside the stadium, the Champions Wall and Walk of Champions were quickly updated to mark Liverpool's 20th league crown. As Klopp himself posted on Instagram: 'Super grateful for the past. Super, super happy about the present, extremely positive about the future! Congratulations — YNWA. Thank you Luv.' Liverpool's players were granted a well-earned two-day break before preparations resume, but the party will roll on – a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge awaits, followed by the trophy lift against Crystal Palace on May 25th. Photo: IMAGO Our View – Anfield Index Analysis As Liverpool fans, we are absolutely buzzing after reading James Pearce's brilliant insight into the title celebrations. This was more than just a party; it was the culmination of a journey built on resilience, smart recruitment, and a seamless transition from Jürgen Klopp to Arne Slot. Advertisement Seeing Virgil and the boys dancing with the fans' songs ringing out, knowing Alisson picked Sultans of Swing as the soundtrack to our victories, it just makes it feel properly ours. Slot deserves massive credit – what a smooth handover he's masterminded. Leading a Klopp chant in front of a packed Anfield shows he not only understands the job but respects the emotional heartbeat of the club. And moments like Konaté's quiet reflection, Curtis Jones lifting Harry Whitehurst, and the ball boys joining the celebrations prove that Liverpool isn't just about winning – it's about winning the right way. The little touches – Nozeco bottles for Muslim players, Salah's brilliant selfie idea, and Jota proudly cycling around Crosby in his Champions shirt – underline a squad absolutely in love with the club and the community. We can't wait for the trophy presentation, and with Slot at the helm, it feels like this could be just the beginning of a new era. Stamford Bridge better be ready – the Red wave is coming!
New York Times
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Inside Liverpool's Premier League title party: A 3am finish, cigars and a bike ride
It was shortly before 3am when the party finally ended inside Anfield's Carlsberg Dugout. The plush sports bar in the Main Stand was the setting for Liverpool players and staff to celebrate clinching the Premier League title on Sunday following their 5-1 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur. With family and friends also in attendance, the dancefloor was packed for most of the evening, with a DJ taking requests. The Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz songs led to both players being serenaded by their jubilant team-mates, many of whom were wearing their special 'Champions 24-25' home shirt. Sultans of Swing by British rock band Dire Straits, which has become the squad's anthem of the season, went down a storm. It was Alisson's contribution to the dressing-room Spotify list and has been first on after every cherished victory. Arne Slot had vowed in his post-match press conference that he would enjoy 'a glass of beer or two or three' and he was true to his word. Having become the first Dutch manager to win England's top flight, he soaked up the occasion with his family. It was all very informal, with no speeches. Liverpool principal owner John W. Henry and his wife Linda Pizzuti made an appearance at the party but said their goodbyes long before the early hours. Advertisement Liverpool actor James Nelson-Joyce was also there, along with former British super-middleweight boxing champion Paul Smith, who is a good friend of Kostas Tsimikas, and his younger brother Liam Smith, the former world light-middleweight champion. Some of the players, including Van Dijk in his club tracksuit, took the opportunity to go back out on to the pitch to have photographs taken in front of a deserted Kop with their loved ones. Ibrahima Konate walked up the first tier of the Main Stand before taking a seat and then spent a few minutes in quiet contemplation. Ibrahima Konate sat in the Main Stand looking out over the pitch: 'What a feeling to see it from up here.'#LFC — James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) April 27, 2025 'I don't have words to describe what I felt. I just wanted to enjoy the moment on my own,' Konate said. 'We won it with 60,000 fans and us on the pitch. I just wanted to feel something different and I am very happy now. I was close to crying. It's crazy, unbelievable, and we have to really enjoy it now. I'm the first French player from Liverpool to lift it.' A few hours earlier, it had been bedlam inside Anfield as the final whistle sparked an unforgettable outpouring of emotion as Liverpool won the title in front of their supporters for the first time in 35 years. There was the classy gesture of Slot leading a chant of 'Jurgen Klopp', returning the compliment from nearly a year ago when his predecessor helped ensure it was the smoothest of handovers. 'I did it because of what he did before I even arrived here,' Slot explained. 'I think that is something not one manager ever did before. That definitely helped me. But he helped me even more by the team he left behind and the culture he left behind.' A video went viral of Darwin Nunez trying to drench Mohamed Salah with what appeared to be a bottle of champagne. However, it was actually alcohol-free Nozeco in all the large bottles used for the celebrations out of respect for Liverpool's Muslim players. On his return to the home dressing room, Nunez posted a picture of himself with a large cigar. Advertisement Salah had celebrated scoring Liverpool's fourth goal by taking an iconic selfie as he stood on the pitch with the triumphant Kop behind him. Initially, it looked like the Egyptian had borrowed the mobile phone from a fan at the front of the stand, but it was in fact given to him by one of Liverpool's club photographers, who Salah had spotted. Liverpool have a lucrative commercial partnership with Google Pixel and Van Dijk did something similar after Nunez's late winner away at Nottingham Forest in March 2024. The players do not have to get involved but they know where the phone is if they want it. 'Since the beginning of the season, I've always taken a selfie with the players (who scored) so for this one I said: 'OK, I have to think of something special' because this picture is going to be there forever,' Salah told Opus Sport. 'So I worked my mind a little bit around that idea and it was fine.' What was certainly impromptu was the wholesome sight of Andy Robertson and Alisson inviting the ball boys from the club's academy, who were grouped together just off the pitch, to embrace their heroes in a joyous huddle. And then there was midfielder Curtis Jones giving young supporter Harry Whitehurst a memory he will cherish forever, as he lifted him from the Kop and brought him on to the field so he could be part of the celebrations. Earlier this season, the LFCTV cameras had captured some touching footage of Jones making a surprise visit to meet Whitehurst, who suffers from the rare genetic condition Williams syndrome, while he was volunteering at Homebaked cafe close to the stadium. Amid all the dancing and the singing, there was the sight of former Manchester United goalkeeper turned TV pundit Peter Schmeichel on the touchline putting club allegiances aside to congratulate Alisson on his outstanding contribution to Liverpool's 20th title, and time for the entire playing squad and coaching staff to pose in front of the Kop for a group photo — a recognition that this had been a truly team effort. 1. Curtis Jones, 2. Mohamed Salah, 3. Alexis Mac Allister, 4. Dominik Szoboszlai, 5. Arne Slot, 6. John Heitinga (assistant coach), 7. Harvey Davies, 8. Conor Bradley, 9. Harvey Elliott, 10. Luis Diaz, 11. Ryan Gravenberch, 12. Darwin Nunez, 13. Kostas Tsimikas, 14. Sipke Hulshoff (assistant), 15. Vitezslav Jaros, 16. Trey Nyoni, 17. Caoimhin Kelleher, 18. Andy Robertson, 19. Diogo Jota, 20. Wataru Endo, 21. Federico Chiesa, 22. Conall Murtagh (head of physical performance), 23. Fabian Otte (head of first team goalkeeper coaching), 24. Jonathan Power (director of medicine and performance), 25. Aaron Briggs (first team individual development coach), 26. Ruben Peeters (lead physical performance coach), 27. Clare Farrell (lead performance nutritionist), 28. Brendan McIlduff (kit co-ordinator), 29. Tyler Morton, 30. Jarell Quansah, 31. James McConnell, 32. Trent Alexander-Arnold, 33. Joe Gomez, 34. Alisson, 35. Virgil van Dijk, 36. Ibrahima Konate, 37. Chris Morgan (head of performance physical therapy), 38. Cody Gakpo, 39. Phil Holliday (director of first team operations & travel), 40. Louise Dobson (head of first team operations), 41. Roderick van der Ham (first team tactical analyst), 42. Michelle Hudson (masseur), 43. Max Thompson (doctor), 44. Jansen Moreno (opposition analyst), 45. Lee Nobes (head of rehab physiotherapy), 46. Lee Radcliffe (kit operations manager), 47. Paul Small (masseur) With thousands of fans who hadn't attended the game converging on Anfield, fireworks and red flares lit up the sky outside the ground late into Sunday night. Nearly three hours after the final whistle, Walton Breck Road, which runs behind the Kop, was still closed to traffic due to the sheer volume of people with many clambering up railings, lamp posts or onto nearby roofs to gain the best possible vantage point as the beer flowed. Advertisement As the clean-up operation got underway early on Monday morning, Liverpool wasted no time in getting both the Champions Wall outside Anfield and the Walk of Champions inside the ground updated to reflect sealing their 20th top-flight title. 'Super grateful for the past,' Klopp posted on Instagram with an image of Liverpool's players and staff standing together in front of the Kop during You'll Never Walk Alone on Sunday. 'Super, super happy about the present, extremely positive about the future! Congratulations — YNWA. Thank you Luv.' Klopp will be back on Merseyside next month when he's the guest speaker at the LFC Foundation gala dinner and he's been invited to attend the final game against Crystal Palace on May 25 when the trophy presentation will take place. Everyone based at the club's Kirkby training base has been given two days off to get over Sunday's exploits with Slot's squad due to reconvene on Wednesday. Diogo Jota was spotted cycling along the coast in the town of Crosby, north of the city, on Monday while proudly wearing his 'Champions 24-25' home shirt. A guard of honour awaits Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next weekend. And the celebrations will keep on coming. (Top photos: Instagram/darwin_n9; Getty Images)
Daily Mail
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Cody Gakpo drops major hint about Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool future while celebrating title triumph
Cody Gakpo may have dropped a major hint about Trent Alexander-Arnold 's Liverpool future after the Reds clinched the Premier League title in emphatic style. Arne Slot 's side sealed the club's 20th English league crown, and their first title celebration in front of fans at Anfield for 35 years, with a 5-1 demolition of Tottenham on Sunday that sparked jubilant scenes on Merseyside. Liverpool had to come from behind after Dominic Solanke gave Spurs a shock early lead, but goals from Luis Díaz, Alexis Mac Allister and Gakpo turned the game around before half-time. Mohamed Salah added a fourth after the break and a Destiny Udogie own goal completed the rout, as Liverpool moved to an unassailable 82 points with four matches to spare. Gakpo, who scored Liverpool's crucial third goal with a composed finish inside the box, played a starring role on a day when the Anfield faithful were finally able to celebrate a title triumph in person. When Liverpool last won the Premier League in 2020, their victory came behind closed doors due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, meaning supporters were unable to attend. Amid the celebrations on Sunday, Gakpo made a comment that could give Liverpool supporters fresh hope that Alexander-Arnold might yet snub a move to Real Madrid and remain at his boyhood club. The 26-year-old is out of contract on June 30 and has been heavily linked with a free transfer to the Bernabeu. Despite mounting speculation, Alexander-Arnold has so far refused to confirm his plans. Speaking after the trophy celebrations, wearing a backwards 'Champions 24-25' shirt and a scarf tied around his head, Gakpo reflected on Liverpool's future and named three key players. 'Now with Mo [Salah] and Virgil [Van Dijk] staying, and hopefully Trent as well, they can keep building,' said the Dutchman. It was a seemingly casual remark, but one that Liverpool fans will cling to as a sign that talks are still ongoing behind the scenes and that Alexander-Arnold could yet commit to a new deal. Van Dijk and Salah had also entered the final six months of their contracts at the start of 2025, creating uncertainty around their futures. However, both have since put pen to paper on new long-term deals at Anfield, boosting hopes that Alexander-Arnold might follow suit. Gakpo's comment could be interpreted in different ways. Either he let slip that there is optimism within the squad about Alexander-Arnold staying, or, like many fans, he is just hoping the star right back chooses to remain rather than start a new chapter abroad. What is seemingly clear is that Alexander-Arnold's teammates have not yet received any confirmation that he is leaving. Adding further intrigue, Alexander-Arnold was pictured in conversation with Liverpool owner John W. Henry on the pitch during Sunday's post-match celebrations. Alexander-Arnold has played a pivotal role under Slot and is widely seen as a future captain if he remains at Anfield.
Daily Mail
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Let the party begin! Thousands of Liverpool fans flood the city to celebrate historic 20th league title - as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mo Salah and Co rejoice on the pitch at Anfield
Liverpool are champions of England once again and the party has well and truly started. Thousands of jubilant fans packed the streets outside Anfield after Arne Slot 's side thrashed Tottenham 5-1 to seal a record-equalling 20th English league title. Supporters scaled the railings by the Kop, waved scarves from rooftops and even clambered onto a passing Greggs van to get the best view of the red sea stretching down Anfield Road. Inside the ground, the scenes were unforgettable. Mohamed Salah beamed as he posed for selfies with the Kop roaring behind him. Meanwhile, local lad Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose current contract is due to expire in June and has been heavily linked with a summer move to Real Madrid, could not contain his emotion, throwing his arms wide open to the crowd. After the final whistle sounded, Arne Slot ripped off his jumper to reveal a Liverpool shirt with 'Champions 24-25' printed on the back. Oh when the @GreggsOfficial go marching in 😂😂😂 #Liverpool #lfc @TheRedmenTV — Rafiq 🍉 (@kayatino) April 27, 2025 The new manager, who has won the title in his first season in English football, even joined in the celebrations by dancing in front of the jubilant fans. It capped an extraordinary debut campaign for Slot, who also paid tribute to his predecessor by chanting the name of Jurgen Klopp. Klopp had done the same for Slot at the end of last season to encourage Reds fans to get behind the incoming manager. Slot now has an English title to go alongside the Dutch crown he won with Feyenoord, and Liverpool look well placed to kick on again next season.
