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Anthony McIntyre ⚽At the start of this season, it seemed impossible to me that Liverpool would win another league title in my lifetime. 


Up until a few years ago they had gone without a title win for thirty years. A repeat of that barren spell could not by any stretch of the imagination be ruled out. Jurgen Klopp, the only coach to have delivered a title in three decades was gone and Arne Slot replaced him despite not being the front runner. 

A number of performances by the side throughout this season under Slot served to reinforce that gloomy prediction. It often seemed that only for Arsenal pulling up short so often, and Manchester City never in the running from early on, Liverpool would be scrambling to make the top four. Even that seemed courtesy of other big names like Chelsea and Spurs serving up a stream of underwhelming performances. Arne Slot had inherited Jurgen Klopp's old fatigued side, brought no one new in other than the exciting but chronically injured Federico Chiesa, moved the deckchairs around a bit on what seemed a sinking ship . . . and yet here we are. A non-believer in miracles, I nevertheless marvel at the way Slot has performed one of the secular kind, the first Dutch coach to have done so.

Not that I am particularly enamoured to the Anfield players. My joy would have been almost as intense had Everton won the title. It is about the working class people of the city, not the multi-millionaires who play for the club. Liverpool is by far the most republican city that falls under UK rule. No grovelling to monarchy there, their view of the Tories is probably much the same as Kneecap's. 


Yesterday, our soccer gang of four, often referred to in these pages, turned up for the occasion. Ronan's girlfriend, Olivia, accompanied him. Paddy, whose ideas it was to wet the whistle in anticipation of the final whistle confirming Liverpool as champions, had secured grandstand viewing in the mezzanine area of the Pheasant before we arrived. It was an executive decision by Paddy, made late in the day so there was no time, really, to have Andrew join us. But as he has planned something for us all in Dublin for the last match of the season when Liverpool will receive and hoist their trophy, he will not much mind missing out on our gathering at the Pheasant.

Spurs, whose run of poor form has dogged them throughout this campaign were no opposition for Liverpool at Anfield. Sure, they went ahead but we were neither dismayed nor panicked. There was a sense that Liverpool would step up to the mark on their home turf and give to the fans what is a second title in five years. They simply crushed what opposition there was. 

Caoimhin, who writes for TPQ, has bantered that as the last title for the Scousers was won in Covid year, then it only counts as half a title. So Liverpool are not really on a par with Manchester United who have twenty. The ruses that the Old Trafford faithful will use to deflect the harsh reality that Liverpool now stand as the most successful English team!! If only their team was as imaginative on the pitch. As Gary Neville says it is a 'sobering' moment for United fans.

It is a massive deal. When you think of the importance of a league title, the managers at Liverpool and United always talk about your bread and butter being the league. You could debate the most successful club when United were on 20. Obviously Liverpool have more European Cups, but the painful thing to say is the debate is over for a period until United become successful again and win leagues. It should cause real tremors at Old Trafford. Liverpool will be the most successful club after today, and that should cause heartache and pain. It took a lot to get ahead of Liverpool, and now that will be gone.

So there you have it. 

Game over, championship secured, the team players and staff gathered on the half way line as the fans rendered Walk On. The skin tingles each time that happens, it brings back such memories of the 97 fans unlawfully killed by South Yorkshire Police at Hillsborough thirty six years ago this month.


Apart from the pints, my usual grumpiness at performances abandoned, I toasted the victory with a Tequila. Then we all downed a Sambuca in a collective gesture, before rolling home. Apt way to describe our departure: we were on a roll. 

⏩Follow on Twitter @AnthonyMcIntyre.

Title 20

Anthony McIntyre ⚽At the start of this season, it seemed impossible to me that Liverpool would win another league title in my lifetime. 


Up until a few years ago they had gone without a title win for thirty years. A repeat of that barren spell could not by any stretch of the imagination be ruled out. Jurgen Klopp, the only coach to have delivered a title in three decades was gone and Arne Slot replaced him despite not being the front runner. 

A number of performances by the side throughout this season under Slot served to reinforce that gloomy prediction. It often seemed that only for Arsenal pulling up short so often, and Manchester City never in the running from early on, Liverpool would be scrambling to make the top four. Even that seemed courtesy of other big names like Chelsea and Spurs serving up a stream of underwhelming performances. Arne Slot had inherited Jurgen Klopp's old fatigued side, brought no one new in other than the exciting but chronically injured Federico Chiesa, moved the deckchairs around a bit on what seemed a sinking ship . . . and yet here we are. A non-believer in miracles, I nevertheless marvel at the way Slot has performed one of the secular kind, the first Dutch coach to have done so.

Not that I am particularly enamoured to the Anfield players. My joy would have been almost as intense had Everton won the title. It is about the working class people of the city, not the multi-millionaires who play for the club. Liverpool is by far the most republican city that falls under UK rule. No grovelling to monarchy there, their view of the Tories is probably much the same as Kneecap's. 


Yesterday, our soccer gang of four, often referred to in these pages, turned up for the occasion. Ronan's girlfriend, Olivia, accompanied him. Paddy, whose ideas it was to wet the whistle in anticipation of the final whistle confirming Liverpool as champions, had secured grandstand viewing in the mezzanine area of the Pheasant before we arrived. It was an executive decision by Paddy, made late in the day so there was no time, really, to have Andrew join us. But as he has planned something for us all in Dublin for the last match of the season when Liverpool will receive and hoist their trophy, he will not much mind missing out on our gathering at the Pheasant.

Spurs, whose run of poor form has dogged them throughout this campaign were no opposition for Liverpool at Anfield. Sure, they went ahead but we were neither dismayed nor panicked. There was a sense that Liverpool would step up to the mark on their home turf and give to the fans what is a second title in five years. They simply crushed what opposition there was. 

Caoimhin, who writes for TPQ, has bantered that as the last title for the Scousers was won in Covid year, then it only counts as half a title. So Liverpool are not really on a par with Manchester United who have twenty. The ruses that the Old Trafford faithful will use to deflect the harsh reality that Liverpool now stand as the most successful English team!! If only their team was as imaginative on the pitch. As Gary Neville says it is a 'sobering' moment for United fans.

It is a massive deal. When you think of the importance of a league title, the managers at Liverpool and United always talk about your bread and butter being the league. You could debate the most successful club when United were on 20. Obviously Liverpool have more European Cups, but the painful thing to say is the debate is over for a period until United become successful again and win leagues. It should cause real tremors at Old Trafford. Liverpool will be the most successful club after today, and that should cause heartache and pain. It took a lot to get ahead of Liverpool, and now that will be gone.

So there you have it. 

Game over, championship secured, the team players and staff gathered on the half way line as the fans rendered Walk On. The skin tingles each time that happens, it brings back such memories of the 97 fans unlawfully killed by South Yorkshire Police at Hillsborough thirty six years ago this month.


Apart from the pints, my usual grumpiness at performances abandoned, I toasted the victory with a Tequila. Then we all downed a Sambuca in a collective gesture, before rolling home. Apt way to describe our departure: we were on a roll. 

⏩Follow on Twitter @AnthonyMcIntyre.
Anthony McIntyre Liverpool FC Soccer

2 comments:

  1. Barry Gilheany9:35 PM, April 28, 2025

    Now make it 21 to show Man Utd whose boss.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Steve R11:39 PM, April 28, 2025

    Well I for one am glad this bloody season is over!

    ReplyDelete

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