“I have no words, it’s unbelievable. It’s much more than I ever thought would be possible, becoming a champion with this club is absolutely incredible.”
Those were the words of coach Jurgen Klopp following Chelsea’s huge victory at Stamford Bridge over Manchester City, mathematically confirming Liverpool’s first League title in 30 long years.
It almost came as some kind of Covid-19 release, a milestone, an achievement in these troubled times.
Success and positive emotional moments - in this case, strictly for Scousers - are still attainable!
Rivalry and banter aside, of course they deserved it. And of course it’s highly unfair that this season will be tainted. This was the biggest runaway title in history.
Massive respect has to be given to Klopp for the way he’s built his side, encouraged footballing culture and galvanised the red half of Merseyside.
He’s a proper gent and not just for me, as he refers to himself as “a normal guy from the Black Forest”.
I love his demeanour, his passion, his knowledge, his intensity and, of course, his wise words on social issues.
WAIT IS OVER: Liverpool are deserved champions
This ain’t your standard “get out there, put one on him and let him know you’re there” type of English coach. Klopp oozes football sophistication.
Credit must also go to the board, who backed his initial five-year plan. Surely, in today’s game, there would be little expectation, given the resources of top-end clubs in Europe and England that they’d have achieved so much in such a relatively short "building" period.
I take the piss, I don’t like Liverpool, it’s in the blood. But I’ve also grown up a bit since the days of running around Stanley Park fighting pitched battles with Scousers.
From a football perspective they’ve been streets ahead, a pleasure to watch and their fans deserve it.
I guess the big question is whether or not this is the start of a proper "era" for the club?
My take on that is, probably not.
Despite the curbing of salaries and spend during this period of pandemic, I’m pretty sure it’ll continue once Covid is beaten.
Some people forecast it may go on for years: “the new
normal”. But I’m not a believer in that.
I predict that a vaccine will arrive within the next 12 months, and soon after that, we’ll be doing as we’ve always done, looking back, saying; “jeeez that was a f***ing mad time”.
Money will continue pouring into top-flight football and the likes of City and Chelsea, Man United, Tottenham, Arsenal, etc will all be knocking at the door.
OVER TO YOU, REDS: Chelsea taught Man City a lesson
As was with the great Leicester season, this could be a one-off. Ok, there’s a big difference, but what I mean is, will we ever see such a massive winning margin again?
Of course my opinion is about as justified as an Eskom board member’s bonus, for all we know the next 10 years could see them smashing it.
But yeah, well done ya’ll, can you just pipe down now?
Last Thursday was a great one for me too, as the title is done and dusted, the all-important top four and relegation spots become the focus.
And what a massive victory for the Blues - an absolute Frank Lampard masterclass with Pep Guardiola and his Barca-style possession football so easily undone.
Following the cronavirus lockdown break, City have looked by far the best drilled and fittest side and some Chelsea fans were bracing themselves for a hiding, but with new signings coming in at the end of the season, a number of Blues players have stepped up.
I was also up late celebrating!
On to the FA Cup and a fairly easy draw for Chelsea in the semis United, see you at Wembley!