Liverpool Has a Hangover | OneFootball

In case you’d forgotten what with all the selfies, banners, flags, tifos and flares, the roar and the cheering, tears of joy and elation … there had been a brief moment of existential dread in Anfield yesterday.

Eleven minutes after the sold-out crowd concluded “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” Dominic Solanke’s header into the net hushed the stadium. Would this be an upset for the ages? Could the lowly Spurs actually defy the Arne Slot Machine and delay the coronation?

Uh, no.

Just read the body language on the Reds as they walked to the kickoff. No slumped shoulders. No dipped heads or furious finger pointing. Just a steely, determined march back to the center spot.

Six minutes later, after a VAR review, Luis Diaz’s goal was allowed and the sides were level. Blip over. Title race is back on again, thank you very much. Anfield’s groans transformed into cheers, the dread dissolved into delight.

Putting the Hammer Down

The next 68 minutes were insufferable for Tottenham supporters, as Liverpool proceeded to impose their will on the visitors, steamrolling their way into an inevitable victory by four goals when only a draw was needed. It was a declaration that their 20th Premier League title win would not be backed into, but seized with authority and brilliance.

Arne Slot becomes the third manager in the club’s history to raise the trophy in their debut year. Sir Kenny Dalglish did it in 1985-86 as player-manager, also scoring the winning goal in the final match. Joe Fagan won the division in 1983-84, as well as the League Cup and the European Cup (predecessor to the Champions League).

Time will tell if we see a mini-baby boom in the winter of 2026. I’m absolutely certain there was a high degree of absenteeism among half of the Merseyside supporters. In any event, congratulations to all the Liverpool fans out there nursing sore heads today.