SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020 09 Thirty years of hurt came to an end for Liverpool when they were confirmed as Premier League champions on Thursday courtesy of second-placed Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat by Chelsea Liverpool fans celebrate winning the Premier League outside Anfield Jubilation as Liverpool win title to end 30-year drought AFP | London iverpool ended a 30-year wait for the English title as they were Lcrowned Premier League cham- pions on Thursday, triggering jubilant scenes as fans ignored social-distancing to celebrate uproariously. Jurgen Klopp’s men sealed a 19th league title with a record seven games remaining after Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat of second-placed Manchester City left the 2018 and 2019 champions an unbridge- able 23 points adrift. Liverpool’s first English title since 1990 -- further delayed by the coro - navirus shutdown -- earns them their maiden trophy in the Premier League, Fans celebrate Liverpool winning the Premier League title outside Anfield stadium which was introduced in 1992 and has been won 13 times by their arch-rivals LeBron James, actor Samuel L. Jackson Manchester United. and former world number one tennis Fabinho of Liverpool celebrates with his team after scoring his sides third goal during the Premier Klopp was in tears after Liverpool’s player Caroline Wozniacki among those League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace long-awaited win, which follows their paying tribute. Champions League and Club World the coronavirus lockdown forcing them Reds captain Steven Gerrard made Cup victories last year, when they fin- ‘I’m hoping there is more’ KNOW WHAT to put the champagne on ice. a costly slip in a late-season defeat ished just a point behind City in the Liverpool, who were tantalisingly Videos on social media showed many against Chelsea. Premier League. close to glory when the coronavirus of Liverpool’s players watching the But Klopp’s team are deserved cham- “It’s such a big moment, I am com- forced the suspension of English foot- With 28 wins and one Chelsea match together at a hotel. pions after an incredible campaign that pletely overwhelmed,” an emotional ball in March, demolished Crystal Pal- defeat in 31 games, “We won’t tell you the exact location could end in record-breaking style. Klopp told Sky Sports. “Tonight it is for ace 4-0 at their home ground of Anfield but we are all in a hotel together as a Liverpool are on course to beat Man- you out there. on Wednesday to stand on the brink of Liverpool have set a team,” Liverpool star Andrew Robert- chester City’s record points total of 100 “It’s incredible. I hope you stay at the title. record-breaking pace and son told the BBC. set in 2017/18. home, or go in front of your house if you City needed to win at Stamford were 25 points clear in “We thought something hopefully Klopp, the first German manager to want, but not more. We do it together Bridge to keep the Premier League February -- the biggest lead special was going to happen and that’s win the Premier League, has been the in this moment and it is a joy to do it alive but slipped to a 2-1 defeat. in Premier League history how it turned out.” architect of Liverpool’s renaissance for you.” Liverpool’s 19th English title, which since the former Borussia Dortmund However, thousands of fans, many puts them one behind United’s record keep hungry, keep wanting more and Ferguson era boss arrived in 2015. in face masks, converged on Anfield, haul of 20, owes much to the transfor- following him.” Liverpool spent years in the shadow Infusing his players with a belief lighting flares, chanting and celebrating mational impact of Klopp. Liverpool have clinched the title ear- of arch-rivals Manchester United dur- in his “heavy metal” football and with a replica trophy, while motorists “We followed him and believed him,” lier than any other Premier League ing the Alex Ferguson era before being high-tempo “gegen-pressing” game- drove up and beeped their horns. said captain Jordan Henderson. “It’s champions, breaking the previous re- left behind by the massive spending of plan, the charismatic Klopp has earned Congratulations poured in from been an amazing journey. cord of five games left shared by City Manchester City and Chelsea. his place alongside Liverpool’s iconic around the world with basketball star “I’m hoping there is more. We just and Manchester United. They infamously squandered a gold- former managers Bill Shankly, Bob But it has been an agonising wait for en opportunity to win the title in 2014 Paisley and Kenny Dalglish. Liverpool fans across the world, with under manager Brendan Rodgers, when “He epitomises everything that Liv- erpool Football Club stands for. He appreciates it, he respects everyone who works at he club,” Dalglish, ar- chitect of Liverpool’s 1990 title, said of the German. Klopp led the club to the Champions League last season, but Liverpool were pipped to the Premier League title by City despite finishing with a record 97 points for top-flight runners-up. But with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino forming a formidable front three, Henderson a tireless presence in midfield and Virgil van Dijk imperious at the back, Liver- pool have left City trailing in their wake this term. “That is the reality, that we are so far behind,” said City boss Pep Guardiola. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC “Liverpool were fantastic in consisten- and Crystal Palace Liverpool players and fans celebrate winning Champions League (file photo) cy throughout the whole season.”.