COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
T
H
E
M
AT
CH11
IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT LIVERPOOL
WERE GOING TO WIN THE TITLE – IT
WAS JUST A QUESTION OF WHEN
O
bviously the dream was to clinch it at
Anfield, but given the situation with no
fans I’m not so sure that matters.
When you look back at the last few seasons:
reaching the Champions League final twice on
the bounce, winning it, just missing out on the
Premier League, then to come back and do this,
it’s just a magnificent achievement.
In my day, and even before, the league was
always the one you were judged on, and
anything else was icing on the cake.
To think it’s been 30 years is just bonkers. It’s
difficult to predict what happens next, but this
squad is more than capable of winning more.
A lot of credit goes to the owners. It’s all
in place behind the scenes. The stadium is
magnificent, there’s a brand new training
ground on the way, the staff are world-class, but
first and foremost you have to do it on the pitch.
The team has been outstanding all season and
the first game back here, against Crystal Palace,
was one of the best performances of the lot.
Everything was there: the press, the counter-
press, the quality of goals, the movement, the
passing. It felt similar going into the away
game at Leicester on Boxing Day with the team
determined to prove any doubters wrong.
It’s been a struggle for Aston Villa this season
but their performance against us at their place
last November was one of their best, and they
have a good record at Anfield in recent years.
But given the mentality of this Reds squad,
I can’t see Liverpool wanting to relax. Jürgen
Klopp may go strong from the start but then
make the most of the new five-subs rule. A few
players may get a run-out tonight.- Don't miss Gary on the Snods & Diz Show
on BBC Radio Merseyside, Tuesdays 6-7pm.
GARY
GILLESPIE
Premier League champions
in the most extraordinary
season ever – and now an
official picture special
celebrating the club’s
19th title triumph is
available.
Hendo, Mo, Bobby, Sadio,
Gini, Milner, Virgil, Trent,
Robbo, Fab, Alisson...
it’s a team packed full
of modern LFC legends,
fearless and flamboyant,
and this souvenir shows
how they smashed records and set
the bar even higher en route to glory. Re-live the season’s
big turning-points, read all the reaction from the manager
and his players, and learn how the Kop played its part.
Packed full of awesome action shots and featuring a
giant double-sided poster, it’s the perfect souvenir for all
those Reds in the mood for a party! Available now, priced
£4.99, from store.liverpoolfc.com.GET THE SOUVENIR
SPECIAL
PREMIER LEAGUE WIN
NERS (^2019) / (^20)
OFFICIAL SOUVENIR P
ICTURE SPECIAL