Alan Hansen to Present Premier League Trophy to Van Dijk at Anfield | OneFootball

Alan Hansen to Hand Premier League Trophy to Van Dijk: A Symbolic Passing of the Torch

Hansen’s Return to the Spotlight

When Virgil van Dijk lifts the Premier League trophy at Anfield this Sunday, it will be more than a celebration of Liverpool’s 20th league title—it will be a moment steeped in history and symbolism. Former Liverpool captain Alan Hansen, the last man to hoist the first division trophy in front of fans back in 1990, will be the one handing over the silverware.

The presence of Hansen is poignant. Now 69, the legendary centre-back made 620 appearances for Liverpool and won the league title eight times. In 1989-90, he was the last to lead a victorious Reds side in front of a packed Kop before the club’s three-decade title drought began. Hansen’s inclusion is not just ceremonial—it is a nod to legacy, resilience, and class. As Paul Joyce reported, “Hansen won the league title eight times during his 620 appearances for Liverpool, lifting the trophy as captain on three occasions.”

Van Dijk and Hansen: Defensive Icons

The decision to pair Hansen and Van Dijk feels intentional and resonant. Both are widely considered two of the finest defenders in Liverpool’s long and decorated history. Van Dijk, who captains the team under new boss Arne Slot, has brought an air of composure, leadership, and invincibility that recalls Hansen’s playing days.

photo IMAGO

“This moment will live long in the memory of Liverpool supporters,” said a club source according to Joyce’s report. “It’s fitting for one iconic defender to pass the torch to another.”

From Crisis to Celebration

This ceremony also marks a recovery of sorts. Hansen was hospitalised in June last year and spent two weeks in serious condition before being released. His return to the public eye at March’s MBE ceremony hinted at his improving health, but Sunday’s appearance will be his most prominent since falling ill.

Equally emotional is the role of community figures Mark and Jo McVeigh from the Owen McVeigh Foundation, who will bring the trophy to the pitch. The foundation, named after their late son Owen who died of leukaemia, has been supported by Van Dijk and his wife Rike. As Joyce noted, they have “paid for Christmas parties and pantomime visits for sick children.”

Safety Appeal Ahead of Parade

As the city prepares for Monday’s title parade, Liverpool FC and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital have issued strong warnings about pyrotechnic use. Following the win over Spurs, there were nearly 50 injuries from flares, including a three-year-old child. “Please do so safely,” urged Nathan Askew, Chief Nurse at Alder Hey, highlighting the 700-2500C burn range of flares.

Past parades have seen similar injuries, including 84 incidents in 2022, many requiring hospitalisation. The club’s message is clear: enjoy, but don’t endanger lives.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

For Liverpool fans, Sunday will be one of those rare moments where football becomes something more—a tribute, a closure, a celebration rolled into one. Seeing Alan Hansen, a player who defined an era of dominance, hand the Premier League trophy to Virgil van Dijk, the figurehead of Liverpool’s modern revival, brings generations together in a single moment.

It’s especially moving knowing Hansen has battled recent illness. His return in such a capacity speaks volumes about how tightly knit the club remains, even decades on. And Van Dijk’s connection to the McVeigh Foundation only deepens this narrative of leadership on and off the pitch.

Celebration is part of football’s soul, but so is care—for each other, for the community, and for the legacy being built. Let this title win be remembered for the right reasons.