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Associated Press

Standing on the Kop that should have been filled with Liverpool supporters, Jordan Henderson did what no captain of the team had done before: lift the Premier League trophy.
As fireworks exploded from the roofs of the mostly empty Anfield stands, red smoke filled the void.
Not since 1990 – two years before the inception of the Premier League – have Liverpool been crowned champions of England.
Only a late government reprieve ensured players at least had a few family members inside the stadium to witness the crowning moment of a season like no other in the history of English football.
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool need to tinker, but sense will rule in silly season
Top-flight football trophies are never handed out in July in England, but the chilly weather inside Anfield felt more like winter when Liverpool started to run away with the championship, Only the pandemic put glory in doubt.
For three months, players and fans agonised whether the season would even resume. The only way it could was with fans shut out of the stadiums. No exceptions, even for a title party.

Instead, seats in the centre of the Kop were removed and replaced by the purple podium where manager Jurgen Klopp followed by his coaching team and players went up to collect their winners’ medals.
“I was never on the Kop before, it was pretty special,” Klopp said. “It makes sense in the moment when the people are not in that we use the Kop to celebrate it with them together in our hearts.”
How Jurgen Klopp’s obsession with fine margins is bringing out the best in everyone at Anfield
Mohamed Salah, whose goals have transformed Liverpool into English, European and world champions, was wrapped in an Egypt flag.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, the 21-year-old Liverpool-born defender, peered down as he inspected his medal. He really was a Premier League champion, achieving what hometown greats Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher had been unable to as the drought persisted.
In the Main Stand, Kenny Dalglish – wearing a red face mask featuring a club crest – sipped champagne. He was manager in 1990 when Liverpool won what was then the Division One title.
Now Liverpool are finally 19-time champions of England, one behind the record held by Manchester United, who usurped the Reds by collecting the Premier League trophy 13 times from 1993 to 2013.

Not even a police order to disperse outside Anfield could deter a hardcore of Liverpool fans from getting as close as possible to the trophy lift. They couldn’t see it but they made their presence felt by setting off pyrotechnics in nearby streets that boomed around the stadium.
“Everything would be better with fans,” Klopp said. “It would be perfect with the stadium full. But you cannot change it.”
The players even delivered an explosive performance on the pitch before the trophy lift.
In the last home game of the season, Liverpool beat Chelsea 5-3 to record an 18th win in 19 league matches at Anfield. There were five different scorers: Naby Keita, Alexander-Arnold, Georginio Wijnaldum, Roberto Firmino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
“I am surprised,” Klopp said. “How can you put a shift in like this when everyone thinks you want to be partying afterwards?”

As his players did eventually party around him on a field covered in confetti, they gathered for a rendition of the famous club anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone. Usually it would be the fans on the Kop most vocal.
“I don’t know when this b******* virus is gone,” the German said in a message to fans from the pitch. “Then we will have a party all together. Make sure you are all ready then.”
Liverpool’s 19th title was clinched the earliest of any in English top-flight football history stretching back into the 19th century, by winning with seven games to spare.
“The expectation is so high,” Henderson said. “It’s been a process, it’s been a journey. It hasn’t happened overnight.”
And they don’t want the journey to end. The motivation now is to defend the title so they can celebrate next year with fans inside Anfield.
“The feeling you get now is the feeling you want so much,” Alexander-Arnold said. “It’s something that will drive us.”



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English Premier League

Liverpool players receive long-awaited Premier League trophy on Kop

Liverpool players celebrate with the Premier League trophy after it was presented following the win over Chelsea at Anfield. Photo: AP

Crowds gather outside The Kop at Liverpool's Anfield stadium in Britain during the presentation of the English Premier League trophy to winners Liverpool in this picture obtained from social media dated July 22, 2020. MATTY JOHNSON /via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MUST ON SCREEN COURTESY MATTY JOHNSON

Liverpool players celebrate with the English Premier League trophy after it was presented following the Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Paul Ellis, Pool via AP)

Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp, center, reacts following the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, July 22, 2020. Liverpool are champions of the EPL for the season 2019-2020. The trophy is presented at the teams last home game of the season. Liverpool won the match against Chelsea 5-3. (Laurence Griffiths, Pool via AP)

Premier League: Liverpool not focused on records, says Klopp; Guardiola at a loss to explain Man City defeats

Liverpool’s Sadio Mane celebrates breaking the deadlock against Aston Villa. Photo: DPA

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola looks on from the sidelines during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on July 5, 2020. (Photo by Frank Augstein / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola defend Liverpool’s attitude after 4-0 loss

Manchester City ran out 4-0 winners against newly crowned English champions Liverpool. Photo: EPA

Players shake hands after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, July 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson,Pool)

‘This is Anfield’ – Hong Kong fan recalls touching forbidden plaque as local Liverpool supporters celebrate long-awaited Premier League title

Alton Hwang touches the 'This is Anfield' sign during a visit to the famous stadium in 2018. Photo: Handout

Steve Parry on the Anfield walk of fame.

Louis Shum at Anfield in May, 2019.

Alton Hwang sits in the empty stands of Anfield during a visit in 2018. Photo: Handout

Axa Asia CEO Gordon Watson.

Sport

Football


Liverpool claim a first English league title in 30 years
Supporters gather outside Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s men are presented with the Premier League trophy



Liverpool claim a first English league title in 30 years as supporters gather outside Anfield.


Liverpool players receive long-awaited Premier League trophy on Kop

Liverpool claim a first English league title in 30 years Supporters gather outside Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s men are presented with the Premier League trophy

Liverpool claim a first English league title in 30 years

Supporters gather outside Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s men are presented with the Premier League trophy