Liverpool have been crowned Premier League champions after Chelsea held Manchester City to a draw on Thursday night.
Liverpool have officially been crowned the 2019-20 Premier League champions after Chelsea defeated 10-man Manchester City 2-1 on Thursday night. The Reds celebrate their first title triumph in 30 years thanks to the Londoners’ victory.
City went to Stamford Bridge as the reigning top-flight champions and needed victory to prevent Liverpool from winning the league before the top two teams go head-to-head at the Etihad next week.
But Christian Pulisic capitalised on a mix-up between Benjamin Mendy and Ilkay Gundogan on the half-way line before half-time to put Chelsea ahead.
Kevin De Bruyne’s stunning second-half free-kick threatened to delay Liverpool’s title party and soon after, former Reds winger Raheem Sterling struck the post after a lightning-quick counter-attack as City sought to take the lead.
Pulisic then almost scored a second with 20 minutes to go, the American seeing his effort cleared off the line superbly by Kyle Walker before Tammy Abraham was also denied at close range.
But Frank Lampard’s Blues restored their lead after Fernandinho handled on the line and was sent off, with fellow Brazilian Willian stepping up to score from the penalty spot to put Chelsea back in front with 10 minutes to go.
They held on for a massive three points in their own quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League, keeping them five points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United.
But the result also means that with seven games to spare, Liverpool have won the Premier League for the first time in their history. It is their 19th top-flight title and their first since 1990, their 18th success having come 11,016 days ago.
Liverpool have won 28 of 31 games this season, only losing to Watford back in March, and produced a reminder of their quality in their 4-0 drubbing of Crystal Palace at Anfield on Wednesday night.
They become the first Premier League side ever to wrap up the title with at least six matches in hand – though they also become the team to win it at the latest date ever due to the season’s three-month coronavirus-enforced break between March and June.
Jurgen Klopp’s men, the current holders of the Champions League, can also still break a host of records before the Premier League season reaches its climax.
Their 23-point lead over City puts them on course to end the season with the biggest points margin ever between first and second, which currently stands at 19, as set by City in 2017-18.
Liverpool will also hope to surpass City’s 100-point record, needing another 14 from an available 21 to equal the Citizens’ Centurions achievement.
If they won all of their remaining matches, they would rack up 107 points – though their standards may slip once the title is officially secured.
The Merseyside club can also set new records for the most home wins in a season and the most wins in a season.
Liverpool’s official Twitter account said simply: “Champions of the World. Champions of Europe. Champions of England.”
While Liverpool owner John W Henry tweeted after their title triumph was confirmed: “This was a season for the ages and for the faithful of Liverpool Football Club. It has been an incredible year of magnificent achievement culminating tonight in capturing the Premier League title.
“The world has watched the fierce determination of this club on the field for every single match – the preparation, the resolve and the talent of those who put together perhaps the greatest league performance ever in any country’s history.
“This in addition to winning a European championship, a Super Cup and a world championship — the totality of this accomplishment has brought respite and joy to so many in a year filled with so much tragedy. LFC has made the beautiful game more beautiful than ever.
“It is said, “We are Liverpool.” You, the supporters are Liverpool in every sense and you continue to drive the club forward — a historic club making history once again.”
CEO Peter Moore said on Twitter: “Number 19 is finally here. It’s for our millions of fans, near and far…we miss you. It’s for the Reds that fell to the virus. It’s for my dad, who first took me to Anfield in 1959. It’s for Sean Cox, smiling in Ireland right now. And it’s for the 96, who will never be forgotten.”
Speaking on BT Sport, Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish joked: “I’ve got glass eyes so wouldn’t be a tear I don’t think!
“No , and I think if you did you would have been arrested and sectioned.
“Sometimes things happen but certainly the last two years and since Jurgen’s come in has been very, very positive all the way through.
“And it’s not just a one-off because last year they came within a point of it, this year they’ve only lost one, drawn two, they’ve won a World Club Championship, they won the Champions League last year as well.
“So onwards and upwards and I think we’ve got a lot more happy days to look forward to now as long as Jurgen’s there.”
An emotional Klopp, speaking to Sky Sports through tears, said: “I have no words.
“It is unbelievable, much more than I thought was possible. Becoming champions with this club is absolutely incredible.
“This is for Kenny, for Stevie – everyone!
“The Manchester City game was really tense, I didn’t want to be involved. It was intense but it is an incredible from my players.
“What they have done over the last few years in exceptional and it’s a pure joy for me to coach them.”
While Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was similarly tearful and said: “Amazing. I didn’t want to talk about it till this moment. Its amazing to finally get over the line.
“So happy for all the boys, the fans, the club the city. I’m a little bit overwhelmed right now, amazing feeling. So proud of what we’ve achieved.
“When we won the Champions League it was a different experience being on the pitch.
“Then watching the game tonight and the final whistle going being with everyone, all the staff, another moment in our lives we’ll never forget. I can’t really describe it.”
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