The Kop has witnessed greatness many times through the years.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
Corners taken quickly, lovely cushioned headers – so many historic moments have played out in front of the famous stand.
Wednesday, though, it hosted greatness.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
The players took to the Kop end for the celebrations as Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy, ending a top-flight title drought stretching back to 1990. The novel ceremony was enforced by the circumstances, but it felt oddly fitting to see the players hoist the prize aloft on the very same spot where the crowd that could not be there have roared them on so often.
The club must be given great credit for putting on a show that felt truly special. Sustained wrangling with Premier League and government power-brokers reached a last-minute breakthrough when the families of the players and staff were allowed in to watch the trophy being lifted – this clearly meant a great deal to Jurgen Klopp, who spent much of the celebrations waving up to his wife. It also made everything seem more genuine, less performative. Yes, Anfield should have been full of 60,000 people fulfilling a lifelong dream, but at least the people who made that dream come true could share the moment with those closest to them.
The involvement of Kenny Dalglish was also a lovely touch. He carried the trophy to the stage, congratulating each player as they came up to receive their medals. Klopp is as eager as anyone to acknowledge the unbroken thread running through this club, with modern success built on the toil of those who went before. As such, Dalglish embracing Jordan Henderson just before the famous shuffle lift came out felt like a moment of true significance.
The pyrotechnics completed the scene, turning the night sky red as the Premier League trophy was finally adorned with ribbons in Liverpool’s colour. These were rivalled only by the fireworks on the pitch that had played out in the preceding 90 minutes – Klopp’s side ensured the metaphor was an irresistible one with a frankly chaotic 5-3 victory over Chelsea. It was a fitting game for a celebration: nothing like the cool efficiency that has won the team the title, but full of fun and joy.
The defending left much to be desired, as Christian Pulisic in particular tormented the back line following his introduction, but a range of stunning goals at the other end made sure that the day of the trophy lift would be marked with a win. Naby Keita has been giving fans a little trailer for next season since the restart, putting in a string of the kind of performances everyone has been hoping for since the moment he signed. He capped that off with a wonderous strike from range to open the scoring, thundering a shot in off the bar after his press had won the ball back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold knocked one in from even further out, passing a free-kick delightfully into the corner to make sure that a Scouser was on the scoresheet on this historic day for the club. A volley from Gini Wijnaldum, a lesser-spotted home goal for Roberto Firmino and a sweeping move finished off by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain completed the set, before the party moved from the pitch to the Kop.
The night was special, but in some ways it was only a placeholder for a much bigger celebration, a city-wide outpouring of joy that will be carried out as soon as it can be done safely. As ever, Jurgen Klopp summed it up best:
“When this bullshit virus is gone, then we will have a party. And I need you to be ready.”
James Martin
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