Liverpool’s 19th title – 30 years in the making

May 1990 – The last time Liverpool lifted the league title.

No one in the country, or even Europe in that matter, would have expected it to be the last time they would be crowned Champions, but it was.

In the 30 years since the adoring Reds fans have seen it all. They’ve seen Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United dominate english football, winning 13 league titles and knocking them off their perch, the likes of Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers come from obscurity and cause some of the biggest upsets in sporting history. Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho help Manchester City and Chelsea become extremely successful and arguably the most painful moment of them all – the slip from Steven Gerrard which ultimately denied them the title in 2014.

There have been some great moments through the barren spell too though. Robbie Fowler’s quickfire treble against Arsenal in 1994, that 4-3 over Newcastle in 1996 – courtesy of Stan Collymore, the treble in 2001, that magical night in Istanbul in 2005, Gerrard’s heroics in the 2006 FA Cup Final, and most recently that comeback over Barcelona on their way to their sixth.

But tonight is arguably the defining moment in this period, the happy ending to what has been a unpredictable story. Tonight Liverpool finally lift their first Premier League title, the trophy that has been missing jewel in the Red’s crown and the trophy that Liverpool have been trying to get their hands on since its inaugural campaign back in 1992.

Seven managers have tried to win this pristine trophy, all have failed. But that duck was broken by Jurgen Klopp, and his scintillating Liverpool side.

Klopp, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Virgil Van Dijk, Alisson and captain Jordan Henderson. All names that will go down in Anfield folklore.

Embed from Getty Images

All of the Liverpool community: the players, staff and fans have been craving this moment for a very long time. When Klopp’s side lift the title tonight, it will be a moment that will be relished.

There is a downside to tonight, the 12th man will be not be at Anfield (or inside it anyway) to witness this moment, something I’m sure will partially dampen the celebrations on the night. But it has been promised by the club when it is safe to do, they will do the traditional open top bus tour around the city. Giving the fans a proper chance to celebrate.

But there’s still 90 minutes to play before the trophy presentation, and it’s against the side who virtually denied them the title in 2014, Chelsea.

Blues boss Frank Lampard played in that memorable afternoon back in April 2014, but now he comes here as manager of a side looking to for a place in next season’s Champions League. They could secure their place in Europe’s top competition tonight however, by winning at Anfield tonight.

Confidence will be high for the London side, especially after their display over top four rivals, Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals on side. Chelsea were on top from minute one at Wembley and won the match 3-1, booking themselves a place in the final against Arsenal in ten days time.

Of course it will be tough for Lampard’s men tonight, Anfield is Liverpool’s fortress. The Reds have only drawn at home twice in the last two seasons – the last coming against Burnley on July 11 – and have not lost here in the league since April 2017.

Avoid defeat tonight and Liverpool would make it three consecutive seasons without a home loss, giving Klopp’s men real incentive prior to their party this evening.

But regardless of what happens tonight, it will be all forgotten about after that final whistle blows. Any possible frowns will turn to smiles as soon as they receive their medals and any disappointments will turn to euphoria.

Thirty years Liverpool fans have waited for this moment. Some fans won’t even remember, or were even born, the last time their team were champions, only hearing and seeing these moments through past generations and old videos. But they will be able to experience that joyous moment for themselves at 10pm this evening.

It may have a been a joke that seemed to have gone on forever, but now it is reality.