A look back at the season so far as Liverpool are crowned 2019/20 Premier League champions following Manchester City's defeat to Chelsea.
Thirty long years of waiting in anticipation for a league title has come to an end. Jurgen Klopp and his exceptional side have broken all sorts of records and delivered on the boss' promise of bringing domestic success to Liverpool.
Liverpool swept Crystal Palace aside to put the onus on Man City to get a win at Stamford Bridge, with Pep Guardiola's side managing eventually falling to a 2-1 defeat on Thursday night.
The result confirms what's been evident for months: that Liverpool are Premier League winners; unable to be caught by any other side after 31 games played this season.
Klopp's title-winners will travel to the Etihad to face City next Thursday. They will receive a guard-of-honour from last year's champions, a poignant moment in their relentless quest of Premier League glory.
Here's a run-through of Liverpool's 19/20 Premier League games so far, as they showed why they deserve to be champions of England.
Liverpool 4-1 Norwich
Goals: Hanley OG (7'), Salah (19'), Van Dijk (28'), Origi (42'); Pukki (64')
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The Reds kicked off the season a bang while wasting no time. Barring a fairly severe injury to Alisson on the opening night, it couldn't have gone better. Klopp's side went into the break 4-0 up and cruised to victory in the second half, despite a goal from Teemu Pukki.
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Goals: Mane (45'), Firmino (71'), Ings (83')
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Liverpool disappointed during the first half at St. Mary's, but Sadio Mane's curling effort gave them the lead at the break. The Reds doubled their advantage through Roberto Firmino but faced a late scare as former Reds striker Danny Ings pulled one back and missed a golden chance in the final ten minutes. In the end, the Reds were fortunate not to have conceded an equaliser.
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Goals: Matip (41'), Salah (49'), Salah (58'), Torreira (85')
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Liverpool have a tendency of blowing Arsenal away at Anfield in recent years. It was a similar performance from them again as they eased to victory against Mikel Arteta's side. Joel Matip headed home from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner before Mohamed Salah converted a penalty and scored another following a dazzling run past David Luiz.
Burnley 0-3 Liverpool
Goals: Wood OG (33'), Mane (37'), Firmino (80')
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Burnley showed their grit in the opening half-hour, but the Reds went ahead when Alexander-Arnold's cross brushed Chris Wood and sailed over Nick Pope. Mane netted again before the break to put the Reds in control. Firmino then fired home from the edge of the box in the final ten minutes, which included Mane's animated reaction to being substituted. The Senegal international was seemingly frustrated at Mohamed Salah's reluctance to pass to him, but all was forgiven after the game.
Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle
Goals: Willems (7'), Mane (28'), Mane (40'), Salah (72')
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Steve Bruce's side took a shock early lead, but Liverpool put in another dominant attacking display to come out on top. Mane scored twice in the first half to give the Reds a 2-1 lead at the interval. Salah put the game to bed in the second half, following a wonderful assist from Firmino, who hugely impressed despite not notching himself.
Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool
Goals: Alexander-Arnold (14'), Firmino (30'), Kante (71')
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Liverpool made it 15 consecutive Premier League wins with a win against Frank Lampard's side at Stamford Bridge. The visitors were dominant, going 2-0 up inside half an hour after a stunning free-kick from Alexander-Arnold and a Firmino header. The Reds showed their defensive qualities in the final 15 minutes to keep Chelsea at bay after N'Golo Kante had given them hopes of drawing level.
Sheffield United 0-1 Liverpool
Goals: Wijnaldum (70')
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Klopp's side were uncharacteristically sluggish and were unable to match Sheffield United's intensity for much of the match. The Reds failed to get a shot on target in the first half, with Mane missing two huge chances. The home side nearly went ahead but for an impressive save by Adrian. Minutes later, the Reds went ahead in fortunate circumstances as Gini Wijnaldum's shot from the edge of the box went through Dean Henderson's arms and trickled over the line.
Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
Goals: Mane (40'), Maddison (80'), Milner (90')
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Liverpool's winning start to the season was seconds away from coming to an end as James Maddison equalised late on with a low finish to cancel out Mane's 40th-minute strike. Leicester were impressive and had done well to draw level, but with the clock ticking into stoppage time, Marc Albrighton brought Mane down in the box, with VAR awarding Liverpool a penalty. James Milner stepped up and showed nerves of steel as he converted with ease from the spot to give the Reds a dramatic late victory.
Man United 1-1 Liverpool
Goals: Rashford (36'), Lallana (85')
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Liverpool have been the far better side in recent years, but their dominance hasn't always shown at Old Trafford. It was a similar tale this time as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side did well to frustrate the Reds, who lacked creativity without the injured Salah. Marcus Rashford's first-half goal looked set to give United an unlikely win, only for substitute Adam Lallana to rescue after finishing from Andy Robertson's cross.
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham
Goals: Kane (1'), Henderson (52'), Salah (75')
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Tottenham took an early lead to stun Anfield as Harry Kane headed past Alisson inside the first minute. Despite an onslaught on Paulo Gazzaniga's goal, the Reds went into the break a goal down. It could have got worse as Heung-min Son hit the bar at the start of the second half, but the Reds soon hit their stride. Jordan Henderson levelled the scores with a volley from close-range before Serge Aurier brought Mane down in the penalty box. Salah stepped up and converted from the spot to complete the comeback for a resilient Liverpool.
Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
Goals: Trezeguet (21'), Robertson (87'), Mane (90')
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Liverpool went behind in the first half for the third game running as Aston Villa midfielder Trezeguet tucked home at the front post. Klopp's side peppered the Villa goal, but it took until the 87th minute to find a leveller as Robertson got in the box and thumped a header home. With seconds left to play, Mane scored a last-gasp winner to give Liverpool an unlikely - but deserved - victory. In hindsight, it was a performance that typified many of the Reds' games this season.
Liverpool 3-1 Man City
Goals: Fabinho (6'), Salah (13'), Mane (51'), B. Silva (78')
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All eyes were on Anfield as Liverpool struck a blow to reigning champions Man City's hopes of retaining the Premier League title. It was a defining moment in the season as the Reds put daylight between themselves and their rivals in the table. Fabinho opened the scoring with a stunning strike before Salah headed home from a fantastic Robertson cross. Mane added a third at the start of the second half, with City managing only a consolation. The result left Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the table, while they pushed City down to fourth - nine points below them.
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
Goals: Mane (49'), Zaha (82'), Firmino (85')
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It was a hard-fought victory for the Reds, who were pushed to the end by Roy Hodgson's side. Mane gave Liverpool the lead just after half-time, but Wilfried Zaha appeared to rescue a point for the home side. Late goals continued to be a trademark of Liverpool's season as they found another five minutes from time, with Firmino scoring to maintain Liverpool's eight-point lead.
Liverpool 2-1 Brighton
Goals: Van Dijk (18'), Van Dijk (24'), Dunk (79')
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It turned out to be a nervy win for Liverpool, who went ahead in the first-half through Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman converted from an Alexander-Arnold set-piece into the box before repeating the act from a corner six minutes later. Brighton had a flurry of chances throughout the game and should have equalised. Alisson was sent off after handling the ball outside the box before Lewis Dunk surprised Adrian with a quick free-kick to pull one back. Neal Maupay nearly grabbed an equaliser late on after a spill from Adrian, but Liverpool pulled through to victory.
Liverpool 5-2 Everton
Goals: Origi (6'), Shaqiri (17'), Keane (21'), Origi (45'), Richarlison (45'), Wijnaldum (90')
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The three certainties in life: death, taxes and Divock Origi scoring against Everton. The Belgian forward joined Xherdan Shaqiri in the starting eleven as Klopp chose to rest Salah and Firmino. The duo were both on the scoresheet inside the opening 20 minutes with two excellent finishes, with Mane setting up both goals. Everton pulled one back before Origi netted again with a delightful lofted finish. The Blues scored another through Richarlison to round off an action-packed first half, but Wijnaldum clinched Liverpool's fifth in the final seconds of the match to seal the win. Despite missing Alisson, Fabinho, Salah and Firmino, the Reds were comprehensive winners as they made it 32 games unbeaten.
Bournemouth 0-3 Liverpool
Goals: Oxlade-Chamberlain (35'), Keita (44'), Salah (54')
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The air of invincibility around Liverpool continued as they made light work of Eddie Howe's side on the south coast. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put the visitors ahead ten minutes before the break before Naby Keita linked up with Salah to make it 2-0. Keita then turned from goalscorer to provider as he set up Salah, who notched his 63rd Premier League goal in 100 appearances. Henderson ran the show in midfield as he put in a commanding display to edge out any Bournemouth threat.
Liverpool 2-0 Watford
Goals: Salah (38'), Salah (90')
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Liverpool were made to work for all three points as Watford provided a tough test at Anfield. Salah gave Liverpool the lead in the first-half after curling the ball into the far corner, but Watford were in no mood to succumb. The visitors should have drawn level a few times, with Ismaila Sarr missing their best chance to equalise. But Liverpool did enough in the end as Salah scored late on with an improvised flick to grind out another win.
Leicester 0-4 Liverpool
Goals: Firmino (31'), Milner (71'), Firmino (74'), Alexander-Arnold (78')
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Liverpool made a massive statement of their intent as they moved 13 points clear at the top of the table with victory over second-placed Leicester. Klopp's side produced a title-winners' performance as they dominated the game from the off. Firmino scored a header from Alexander-Arnold's excellent cross in the first half before the Reds scored three times in seven minutes to take the game away from the Foxes. Substitute Milner converted from the spot, with Firmino netting soon after. Alexander-Arnold then capped off the victory with a thumping free-kick to make it 4-0.
Liverpool 1-0 Wolves
Goals: Mane (42')
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Liverpool's final game of 2019 saw another hard-fought victory for the Reds. Mane scored the winner in the 42nd minute after slotting the ball past goalkeeper Rui Patricio. VAR reviewed the goal for handball by Lallana in the build-up, but referee Anthony Taylor allowed the goal. Wolves were on the wrong side of VAR again, just minutes later, as Pedro Neto's drilled equaliser was ruled out for offside. Both teams had chances in the second half, with Salah and Firmino unlucky not to score for the Reds. In the end, it was a hard-earned three points for Liverpool.
Liverpool 2-0 Sheffield United
Goals: Salah (4'), Mane (64')
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Liverpool made it a full year unbeaten in the Premier League as they eased past Sheffield United. While there was nothing fortuitous about their win, they were handed an early lead through Salah, who capitalised on a mistake from George Baldock. Mane sealed the victory in the second half as he finished at the second attempt after being set up by Salah. With Leicester and Man City both winning, the Reds ensured they kept their 13-point advantage at the top of the table.
Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool
Goals: Firmino (37')
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Liverpool set the record for the best-ever start to a season by a club in Europe's top-five divisions as they beat Spurs 1-0 thanks to a Firmino goal. The Brazilian scored in the first half with a superb left-footed finish, with the Reds doing enough to keep Jose Mourinho's side at bay. The result opened up an immense 16-point advantage over Leicester at the top of the table with a game in hand.
Liverpool 2-0 Man United
Goals: Van Dijk (14'), Salah (90')
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Van Dijk headed home inside the opening fifteen minutes to set Liverpool on their way. The Reds were by far the more dominant side but struggled to find a second goal. United piled on the pressure in the closing stages as they looked for an equaliser, but instead, it was Klopp' side who grabbed their second and won it in style. Alisson's long clearance in added-time set Salah clear to score, leading to wild celebrations that saw the goalkeeper run the length of the pitch - ala Pepe Reina - to celebrate with the Egyptian in front of the Kop.
Wolves 1-2 Liverpool
Goals: Henderson (8'), Jimenez (51'), Firmino (84')
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Liverpool's knack of scoring late goals came handful again as Firmino netted in the 84th minute to give the Reds a late win at Molineux. Henderson, who impressed throughout, put the visitors ahead after heading the ball home from a corner. Wolves made life extremely difficult for Klopp's side and found a leveller six minutes after the break as Raul Jimenez glanced in Adama Traore's cross. But Liverpool persisted and got a winner through Firmino, who smashed the ball into the back of the net after tidy footwork.
West Ham 0-2 Liverpool
Goals: Salah (35'), Oxlade-Chamberlain (52')
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The Reds became the first side to hit 70 points before February as they extended their lead to the top of the table to 19 points. Issa Diop fouled Origi in the box to give Liverpool a penalty in the first-half, with Salah stepping up and putting the Reds ahead. Despite Manuel Lanzini and Robert Snodgrass having good chances to equalise, it was an otherwise routine victory for the Reds, who grabbed a second after half-time through Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Liverpool 4-0 Southampton
Goals: Oxlade-Chamberlain (47'), Henderson (60'), Salah (72'), Salah (90')
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Southampton matched Liverpool for much of the first hour, but the Reds' quality shone through as they cruised to victory thanks to four second-half goals. Oxlade-Chamberlain opened the scoring just after half-time with a drilled effort, before Firmino set up skipper Henderson. The captain then played in Salah to score his third, before the Reds forward added another from close range in the final minute. The result took the Reds to 42 games unbeaten as they extended their lead to 22 points over second-placed Man City, with a game in hand.
Norwich 0-1 Liverpool
Goals: Mane (78')
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Liverpool failed to create many clear-cut chances in the first-half, with relegation-threatened Norwich fighting for their survival and keeping the Reds at bay. But Liverpool showed up in the second half and mounted pressure on the Canaries as they eventually took the lead through substitute Mane. With a little over 12 minutes remaining, Mane controlled Henderson's superb pass and smashed the ball in at the near post to give Liverpool all three points.
Liverpool 3-2 West Ham
Goals: Wijnaldum (9'), Diop (12'), Fornals (54'), Salah (68'), Mane (81')
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The league-leaders came from behind against the Hammers to restore their 22-point lead at the summit of the table. Wijnaldum headed home to give the Reds an early opener, but the visitors levelled three minutes later through an Issa Diop header, which should have been saved by Alisson. Pablo Fornals gave West Ham an unlikely lead in the second half, but Liverpool fought back with goals from Salah and Mane, with the latter netting from Alexander-Arnold's cross to make it 44 league games unbeaten.
Watford 3-0 Liverpool
Goals: Sarr (54'), Sarr (60'), Deeney (72')
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Liverpool's hopes of going the season unbeaten came to an end as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Watford. It remains Liverpool's sole defeat this year: a minor blip in an otherwise unbelievable season. The Hornets had the bit between their teeth as Ismaila Sarr scored twice to put them in control of the game. Troy Deeney caused an issue for the Reds throughout the game, and he added a third for the home side to round off a shock victory.
Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth
Goals: Wilson (9'), Salah (25'), Mane (33')
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Liverpool bounced back from their first defeat in 44 games with victory over the Cherries - their 22nd straight win at Anfield. But it wasn't without its scares. Callum Wilson put the visitors ahead despite a shove on Joe Gomez in the build-up, but the Reds soon hit their stride. Mane won the ball inside Bournemouth's half and played in Salah, who slotted the ball home with a low finish. Mane then got on the end of Van Dijk's through-ball to score the Reds' winner before half-time. Bournemouth nearly equalised through Ryan Fraser during a nervy second half, but Milner's superb clearance on the line ensured Liverpool got the victory.
Everton 0-0 Liverpool
Goals: None
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The Reds resumed their Premier League campaign after over three months of no football due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was an unfamiliar setting for a Merseyside derby, with the occasion more striking than the game itself. Liverpool could have edged closer to the title but failed to get going for much of the game, despite dominating possession. Everton had the best chances on the break in the final 15 minutes, but neither side could make a telling breakthrough as the Reds dropped points for just the third time this season.
Liverpool 4-0 Crystal Palace
Goals: Alexander-Arnold (23'), Salah (44'), Fabinho (55'), Mane (69')
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Liverpool showed their credentials with a title-winners' performance behind-closed-doors against Roy Hodgson's side at Anfield. Alexander-Arnold put the Reds ahead with a stunning free-kick before Salah latched on to Fabinho's pass and made it 2-0 before the break. It was more of the same in the second half as Fabinho leathered the ball home from the best part of 30 yards and Mane rounded off an excellent move to seal all three points.
QUICK LINKS:
‣ Liverpool win maiden Premier League title →
‣ LFC players celebrate title win behind closed doors →
‣ Klopp in tears as Reds clinch the title →
‣ Henderson “overwhelmed” after leading Liverpool to PL glory →
‣ How Liverpool's title-winning season unfolded →
‣ Klopp explains why he brought Reds together for City match →
‣ Wijnaldum proud to be a part of the “chosen ones” →
‣ “A historic club making history again” – John Henry →
‣ “We're all like brothers, Klopp is our father figure” →
