Premier League
LIVERPOOL PLAYERS PARTY ALL NIGHT AS CHAMPIONS
Liverpool’s newly-crowned Premier League champions waved scarves and hands in the air and jumped in unison as they belted out 90s dance anthem ‘Show Me Love’ while celebrating the club’s greatest triumph in 30 years.
With the squad all wearing their famous red home shirt with ‘Champions 2020’ written on the back, stars such as Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah and Andy Robertson partied long into the night at the Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa.
In joyous scenes shared by Trent Alexander-Arnold on Instagram, fans were given an insight into how the players toasted the biggest night of their careers – and in particular the moment they all sang Robin S’s 1990 hit song – after they finally ended the club’s 30-year league title wait on Thursday night.
Having earlier gathered together at the hotel, Jurgen Klopp’s men watched an outdoor screen as Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge confirmed their position as champions in an outstanding campaign which has seen them drop just seven points all season.
Klopp was clearly emotional as he appeared on television afterwards – while his players were in the mood to party as they mobbed Van Dijk during his interview on BT Sport. Then it was on to a championship celebration with the players’ wives at ‘the home of the champions’.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson had been coy when quizzed on where players celebrating, keen to preserve the secret nature of their hideout for fears ‘thousands of fans would turn up’ to join them.
Players did a drum-roll for the final seconds of the match at Stamford Bridge as they sat together as a group in an outdoor seating area at the hotel.
Defender Robertson, goalkeeper Alisson and playmaker Roberto Firmino were among those bursting into song in club colours as the squad shared their joy.
The after party continued inside in a red-lit room, before the players were eventually pictured leaving the venue in the early hours.
Robertson revealed that the players were hoping boss Jurgen Klopp would give them a rest after the party, telling the BBC: ‘We’re still trying to convince the boss downstairs to give us a few days off!
‘I have no words. It’s unbelievable. Becoming champions with this club is incredible.’
Captain Jordan Henderson praised Klopp for revolutionising the club, saying: ‘It wouldn’t be possible to do it without the manager.
‘From day one he changed everything. We all followed him.
‘What you see is what you get, with his press conferences and on the sidelines.
‘Obviously he has got more of a personal side with the players, but he has got a balance of having a relationship with the players and being a friend but also being a bit ruthless when he needs to be.
‘He is a great leader and a great human being and we all believe in him. To be honest, I’m lost for words.
‘You never really think of this moment. When this moment comes I can’t really describe it. It’s another moment in our lives that we’ll never forget.
‘It feels amazing. I’m so happy for all the boys. The club, the whole city. I am so proud of what we achieved.’
Before his triumphant team-mates pounced on him, Van Dijk told BT Sport: ‘It’s incredible to be part of this group of players.
Last season we won the Champions League and this year, especially in the Premier League, we have taken it to a different level. We have been so consistent and doing so well.
‘It’s a fantastic feeling. From the moment I’ve joined it’s one team, everyone is part of it, from the people that work at Melwood, in the stadium and the players of course.
‘We all want the same thing. Off the pitch we have a bond which is outstanding as well.’
Liverpool’s last top-flight triumph came in 1990 but they won the title at a canter this time, completing the job with a 23-point lead over Manchester City and seven matches to spare.
Dalglish, who was their manager when they lifted the First Division trophy, watched the players start the party and said: ‘I’m very pleased for everybody connected with the football club. Jurgen has done a fantastic job.
‘The highlight has been the camaraderie within the team and the way everyone has helped the team.
‘We have many more happy days to look forward to as long as Jurgen is here. Liverpool from top to bottom in the football club have been fantastically supportive. You know how much it means. Jurgen Klopp epitomises everything that this football club is about. Onwards and upwards.’
Klopp dedicated the title to Dalglish and club legend Steven Gerrard, who praised his former boss and club owners Fenway Sports Group on Instagram.
The former Reds captain wrote: ‘Congratulations to all on winning the premier league.
Liverpool will have to wait for a few more days to be crowned Premier League champions despite a 1-0 victory at Leicester City after Arsenal kept their slender hopes just about alive with a 4-0 romp at 10-man Ipswich Town on Sunday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold came off the bench to score Liverpool’s winner in the 76th minute at the King Power Stadium to restore their 13-point lead at the top with five games left.
While Liverpool can almost taste a record-equalling 20th English crown, Leicester’s defeat confirmed their relegation back to the Championship after just one season.
The Midlands club have now been relegated from England’s top flight a record 13 times.
Chelsea secured a massive win in their bid to qualify for the Champions League as they came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage with Pedro Neto scoring in stoppage time.
The win pushed Chelsea above Nottingham Forest in to fifth place, the last spot for qualification to the Champions League, although Forest play at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.
Chelsea have 57 points from 33 games, two behind third-placed Newcastle United and one behind Manchester City. Forest and Aston Villa are level with Chelsea on 57 points.
Wolverhampton Wanderers guaranteed their safety as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford. Pablo Sarabia’s stunning free kick wrapped up a fifth successive league win, the first time Wolves have achieved that in the top flight since 1970.
Liverpool were wasteful at Leicester with numerous chances going begging and Mohamed Salah suffering a frustrating afternoon including hitting both posts with an early shot.
Salah hit the woodwork again moments before the ball came out to Alexander-Arnold who fired a left-footed shot through the crowd to give his side the points — ripping off his shirt and celebrating wildly with the travelling fans.
“We just keep going, mentally we’re really strong,” manager Arne Slot, whose side could be crowned champions if Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, told Sky Sports.
“They enjoy playing football and it helps when you are playing for something special. Today (Alexander-Arnold) knows when it matters most he can just bring a bit more which is something all the top, top players have.”
DISTANT SECOND
If Arsenal avoid defeat by Palace, Slot’s side will seal the title if they beat Tottenham Hotspur at home next Sunday.
“We will focus on Tottenham and looking forward again to a home game and I think the stadium will be full,” Slot, who can become the first Dutch manager to win the English title, said. “It’s a nice game to look forward to.”
Liverpool have 79 points with Arsenal a distant second on 66. Arsenal may have their eyes now on a Champions League semi-final against Paris St Germain, but they showed against Ipswich they will not hand over the title to Liverpool.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring early on and Gabriel Martinelli made it 2-0 after a delightful flick by Mikel Merino.
Ipswich were reduced to 10 men before halftime as Leif Davis crudely raked his studs down the back of Bukayo Saka’s calf and the second half was academic.
Trossard grabbed his second in the 69th minute and Ethan Nwaneri added a late fourth to leave Ipswich stuck in 18th place on 21 points. They will be relegated if they drop points again or 17th-placed West Ham United pick up one more point from their remaining five games.
Chelsea were heading for a damaging defeat at neighbours Fulham as the hosts led with Alex Iwobi’s 20th-minute goal.
Substitute Tyrique George equalised with an instinctive shot in the 83rd minute, his first Premier League goal, before winger Neto swivelled and unleashed a thunderous strike in stoppage time to send the away fans wild.
Manchester United reached the Europa League semi-final with an astonishing comeback win against French club Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday but their Premier League woes returned against Wolves.
They are in 14th place and have now lost eight Premier League home games this season, their most defeats at Old Trafford in a league campaign since 1962-63.
“Wolves scored in the only opportunity they had. we had many chances, and we didn’t score. If you don’t score goals, you are not going to win games,” manager Ruben Amorim said.
-Reuters
Egyptian outlet, Ahram, has reported that Mohamed Salah has signed a new contract with Liverpool, extending his stay at Anfield beyond the 2024-25 season as he prepares for what could be the final chapter of a storied career with the club.
While the terms of the agreement were not disclosed, British media reports indicate the 32-year-old forward has signed a two-year extension, keeping him at the club until at least 2027.
Salah, who joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, has become a modern-day icon at Anfield.
The Egyptian international has scored 243 goals in 394 appearances—third on the club’s all-time scorers list—and has helped the Reds secure seven major trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League titles.
“I had my best years here,” Salah told the club’s website. “Hopefully it’s going to be 10. I signed because I believe we can still win big trophies together.”
He has maintained his prolific form this season, scoring 32 goals and providing 22 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions. His 27 Premier League goals currently lead the division.
During his time with Liverpool, Salah has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times, been named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year twice, and claimed two FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
Now entering the latter stages of his career, Salah remains focused on adding more silverware to his collection and further cementing his legacy at Liverpool.
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Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga, who became the second-youngest Premier League player when he made his senior debut in Monday’s 3-0 loss to Newcastle United, had to wear a blank shirt because it is sponsored by an online cryptocurrency gaming platform.
Britain’s Gambling Act 2005, which underwent a review in 2020, prohibits players under 18 from wearing kits displaying gambling sponsors. Monga, an England U16 international, made his senior debut at 15 years 271 days old.
Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri remains the youngest Premier League player in history, having debuted in the competition when he was 90 days younger than Monga.
Leicester, who suffered an eighth straight loss in the league without scoring a goal, are 19th in the standings, 15 points below the safety zone.
-Reuters
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