IT’S OK to admit it.
It’s perfectly fine to appreciate Liverpool’s brilliance, while wishing to God they hadn’t won the Premier League title.
Liverpool are well set to be untouchable for years to come
It’s acceptable to marvel at Jurgen Klopp’s phenomenal achievements and yet to ask yourself: ‘Is there much more of this? Is there any hope for the rest of us?’
Amid all the glassy-eyed tributes, you are also free to ask ‘how come a packed Bournemouth beach symbolises the breakdown of society but a lack of social distancing outside Anfield on Thursday is greeted only with cod romanticism?’
Klopp is immensely charismatic and likeable, and his team play wonderful football.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City might have been more beautiful over the previous two seasons, but Liverpool are a more complete team.
Their manic work-rate is their trademark, yet if you witnessed Liverpool’s four goals against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, you cannot deny their majesty.
Neither are there any Luis Suarez-style villains here. No bad eggs, no players opposition fans love to hate.
Yet still Liverpool are NOT popular champions.
Not just with traditional foes Manchester United and Everton, or more modern rivals City and Chelsea, but with vast swathes of supporters nationwide.
Their fans have taken to referring to themselves as “The Unbearables” — and few would disagree.
Some older rival supporters bear grudges against Liverpool over the lost opportunities of the post-Heysel European ban.
Others feel distaste for Liverpool’s sense of exceptionalism.
The club’s marketing motto is “This Means More” as if no other supporters are capable of feeling the same passion for their own clubs.
And so much Sky and BT Sport coverage makes you feel as though you are watching Liverpool Fan TV — with former Anfield players “two-four-six-eight-who-do-we-appreciating” everywhere.
But we should expect much more of the same for the foreseeable future.
Klopp has spoken of building a dynasty. Another Shankly-style “bastion of invincibility”. And well he might.
None of his first-choice XI were born when Liverpool last won the title in 1990, so there is no immediate need for a rebuild.
KOP STARS AT THEIR PEAK
Most of this team are at their peak, with outstanding youngsters like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez only likely to get better.
Lockdown left Liverpool sweating over a title which had been beyond reasonable doubt for months but the ensuing fixture chaos will play into their hands.
Both Manchester clubs will be involved in European competition in August, while Klopp’s men can enjoy a proper re-charge and a pre-season.
Man for man, City are the only squad who come close to Liverpool, yet Guardiola’s men have lost their mojo after two record-breaking campaigns.
Eight league defeats, with seven matches still to go, shows just how far they have fallen. Theirs was a limp, meek title defence.
Should City’s two-year European ban be upheld, key players such as Kevin De Bruyne will want out.
Guardiola is motivated to win back the title but he is 23 points back on Liverpool and may have a weaker squad next season.
There is the genesis of something promising at United and Chelsea — who are likely to be the Premier League’s biggest summer spenders.
How the Premier League was won by Liverpool in 2019-20
But no manager has ever won the Premier League with as little experience as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Frank Lampard.
Arsenal are nowhere near. Jose Mourinho’s best days are behind him and he has little to spend at Tottenham.
Leicester and Wolves have done wonderfully well, yet neither will exceed Klopp’s team over 38 games.
And so, while you might not like Liverpool’s dominance, you are almost certainly going to have to lump it.
Jurgen Klopp says he is overwhelmed with Liverpool winning the Premier League and pays tribute to staff and players
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
