World News Online: Liverpool celebrate record-equalling 20th league title – live reaction

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If we’re sticking to the new formula – that football began in 1992 – we need to make note that Liverpool, with two Premier League titles, have gone past Leicester and Blackburn (one apiece). Some groundbreaking research from me, I know.

Pete Tomlin writes in: “I’m a grizzled old Liverpool fan – this is the 12^th that I have witnessed. However, this one feels so much more special than any of the previous ones. I shed quite a few tears yesterday which is something I haven’t done for years. This was partly out of relief & pride but also, like James Woodfinden, it was partly with memories of my Dad who sat alongside me when we won the last title during the Covid period. We hugged each other that day & how I wish I could do so again. Sadly he passed away in 2021. Happy & sad emotions today!”

In all the “United-Liverpool, who’s bigger?” hoo-ha, it’s been slightly forgotten that Manchester City’s hold on the title is over after four consecutive victories. Even with their passage to the FA Cup final, Pep Guardiola admitted yesterday that this hasn’t been a good season for his side.

Pieter Bruinsma writes in: “My first school was on Anfield Road, then you move away, make a life and travel the world, build a family in a foreign land, but those streets are still within me. The whole day and celebration just resonates with me. I’ve mostly lost my accent, yet my dual nationality sons are Liverpool supporters, so it carries on. I even remember the Blue supporters in the family, who would have been kicking the dog yesterday, with a smile.

“Time moves on, memories fade, your roots become diluted, but yesterday was a day of celebration and smiles. And, remembering.”

This is a lovely piece by Mark Brown, highlighting the local and global reach of the club.

The teenage boy section of the Jacob family, from New Jersey, persuaded their parents that they all had to come because of the match.

The family are of Egyptian heritage and there’s two words as to why the boys are Liverpool until they die: “Mo Salah,” one said. “That started it, but then we fell in love with the team. All of our friends love the team as well.

Sachin Nakrani guides us through the campaign.

Fascinating to read this by Louise Taylor, after Manchester United won their 19th league title in 2011 to surpass Liverpool.

The weaponry at his own disposal has been utilised with extreme care and cleverness this season – in the hands of lesser managers it is unlikely that a comparitively non‑vintage United squad would have finished ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal – but even Ferguson’s genius cannot disguise the reality that several key components need replacing. Urgently.

They did win the league again in 2013, but that rebuild never really clicked together.

More correspondence dropping in. Michael Batson writes: “Watched the match at home in Phnom Penh where kick-off was 10:30pm local time. The feed at the sports bar a few doors down was ahead of ours so I heard the goals go in slightly ahead of seeing them. A great night.”

James Woodfinden writes: “I have to completely agree with Joel, 2020 was an incredible achievement and it definitely made me well up a bit, but to have that euphoric celebration at the final whistle made me think of my late Dad who ALWAYS wanted me to like football. Sadly I waited until my early teens during the Roy Hodgson era to immerse myself fully in football! That one was for you, Dad!”

The platform was, of course, set by Jürgen Klopp. Arne Slot made note of that through the medium of song.

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This is a fun thought from Robert Winiker: “Would it be an idea to stage a joint celebration with the title win five years ago, which was cancelled due to the pandemic? With Jürgen Klopp and the players included?”

Jordan Henderson can sort the van out. Gini, Bobby, Sadio, get in.

Talking points from Anfield and elsewhere:

A call to Liverpool supporters: share your thoughts on the title win over here.

Joel writes in: “This win means so much to Liverpool fans – mostly for being able to celebrate with each other. I grew up with my uncle Nick telling me tales of the glory years, yearning for them again. He’s sadly no longer with us, but to finally see the scenes he spoke of has warmed my heart – this one really does mean more.”

Liverpool are level with Manchester United on league title wins for the first time since 2011. Here’s what Gary Neville had to say yesterday before they sealed it:

This should cause tremors at Old Trafford. It’s painful. Being honest with you, I don’t want to be here today. But you have to be here because the reality of it is you’ve got to be gracious when you’re a Manchester United player, when you’re a Manchester United fan, when you’re a Liverpool player or Liverpool fan and congratulate the other team whether it’s City, Liverpool, Arsenal, United. Whoever wins the league you’ve got to be gracious and you’ve got to say what an achievement because it’s bloody hard to win it.

But it’s painful. It’s been painful for the last 10 years because Liverpool and Manchester City have been the most dominant teams.

All the great Liverpool managers and players and all the great Manchester United managers and players, the two most successful clubs in the country, would always say your bread and butter is the league title. And Manchester United had won more than Liverpool up until two hours, three hours’ time. And that’s where you could keep these sorts of arguments alive around who’s the most successful club. The minute that Liverpool go level with Manchester United on league titles, because they’ve won more European Cups, that debate is over for a period.

Here’s that selfie Mo Salah took after scoring against Spurs, his 28th league goal of the season.

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“The club did everything they felt they possibly could to get a deal but it wasn’t to be.”

That’s Brendan Rodgers in January 2014, the then Liverpool manager disappointed because he couldn’t get his man: Mo Salah had gone to Stamford Bridge.

It’s a great what-if. If Salah joins then, does he help Liverpool get over the line that season? Or did he need that stumbling period at Chelsea, followed by the resurgence in Italy? Anywho, it’s worked out pretty nicely.

There’s plenty to read on Liverpool’s season, their first under Arne Slot. He’s slotted in (allow it) seamlessly.

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