By Simon Wilkes
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk described the Reds as ‘the most beautiful club in the world’ after helping them secure Premier League glory with a thumping 5-1 win over Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.
Dominic Solanke opened the scoring for the Londoners on 12 minutes but that was cancelled out by Luis Diaz’s 16th-minute equaliser.
Alexis Mac Allister put Arne Slot’s hosts in front on 24 minutes, and after Cody Gakpo made it 3-1, it was party time on Merseyside and the Reds cantered to a comfortable win.
Talisman Mo Salah got on the scoresheet and an own goal made it a five-star performance as Liverpool equalled fierce rivals Manchester United’s record of 20 top-flight titles with four games to spare in the 2024/25 campaign.
The Reds have won 25 of their 34 league games so far this season, conceding a measly 32 goals and scoring 80.
Influential centre-back Van Dijk has been a giant at the back once again and welled up as Liverpool’s adoring Kop serenaded their heroes at the final whistle.
Deserved champions
The dominant Dutchman told Sky Sports: “It’s amazing. Today was a lot of emotions, throughout the whole week, we’ve got the job done and we’re deserved champions.
“This is the most beautiful club in the world. We deserve all of this. Let’s enjoy the next couple of weeks.
“I was desperate for these fans, and the fans around the world.”
Hard to put into words
Slot has exceeded all expectations since taking the managerial reins from Jurgen Klopp – and feels his players had the belief they could dethrone champions Manchester City all season.
The Liverpool boss told Sky Sports in an on-pitch interview: “It’s difficult to put into words. You can feel how important it was for the fans to be here.
“We always come back, we always find a way to win. I don’t think we could have lost today.
“Our main focus was to win this game, if you are a part of it you still feel the pressure of getting the points over the line.
“For the whole season we were on top of the league but you also know how hard the Premier League is. The belief for us to win it was here throughout the season.”
Arsenal have been Liverpool’s main rivals for the league crown this season, with Pep Guardiola’s Man City troops having an indifferent season compared to their lofty standards.
But Man City boss Guardiola congratulated Liverpool on their achievement, saying: “On behalf of myself and all the club we want to congratulate Liverpool on the Premier League.
“Well deserved, fantastic team.
“Hopefully next year we are going to be better. But Liverpool, congratulations.”
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