‘It’s our time ‘
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp lamented the fact no fans were in the stands to witness one of his side's best displays of the season. Klopp's men moved to the brink of a long-awaited Premier League title in the style that has made them worthy champions-elect by thrashing Crystal Palace 4-0 on their return to Anfield behind closed doors on Wednesday.
Liverpool's 30-year wait for a title had been extended by three months due to the coronavirus shutdown, but they had a chance to start celebrations yesterday if Manchester City were to fail to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
"Imagine how this stadium would have been full and all the people would have experienced that live," said Klopp. "I don't think the game could have been better."
But the German hailed his players ability to motivate themselves without a crowd. "Today was a reaction [from the 0-0 draw with Everton], I liked it a lot. 4-0 up, 87th minute and four players are chasing one poor Crystal Palace player like it is the only ball in the world," added Klopp.
"Wonderful result, wonderful game. It was important we showed our supporters we are still here."
Mohamed Salah was preparing for a title party after scoring. "Two points to go to win the league, it's great," said Salah. "I feel great. Since I came here I said I want to win the Premier League. The city did not win it for a long time. Last year we had a chance but Man City also played really well and deserved it. It's our time to win the league."
Trent Alexander-Arnold opened the floodgates with a brilliant free-kick as Liverpool looked far slicker than they had at Everton on Sunday in their first match since the break. Salah doubled the hosts' advantage and goals from Fabinho and Sadio Mane after the break rounded off a fine team performance.
"For the first game back at Anfield, it couldn't have gone any better," said Alexander-Arnold.
When Liverpool were last crowned English champions, in April 1990, Margaret Thatcher was prime minister and the Premier League was two years away from its glitzy launch.
In 1990 it was business as usual for Kenny Dalglish's dominant Reds, who had finished in the top two every year since 1973, apart from one season.
Their triumph came a year after the trauma of the Hillsborough disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans after a terrace crush.
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