Liverpool finally ended their 30-year wait to become English champions again when they won the Premier League last month, wrapping up the title in record time with seven games to go.
It’s been a stunning campaign for Jurgen Klopp’s side – who are 7/5* to win the 2020-21 Premier League title – and here we look back on five crucial games that helped shape their season as they went about realising their long-held dream.
1. Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 2 (November 2nd)
The Reds had already made a habit of winning ugly before this November trip to the West Midlands, beating Southampton and Sheffield United on two such occasions on the road early on. However, the win over Dean Smith’s men felt different because Liverpool were trailing for so long at Villa Park before scoring twice in the final five minutes through Andy Robertson and Sadio Mane. Klopp’s side had struggled to find any sort of rhythm but still displayed their winning mentality to pick up all three points when a defeat had been staring them in the face.
2. Liverpool 3 Man City 1 (November 10th)
The very next league game saw title rivals City visit Anfield in what already looked like a pivotal match. City (1/1 – Premier League 2020-21 Outright) started well and were left ruing VAR as an apparent Trent Alexander-Arnold handball went unpunished before Liverpool went straight up the other end to score a stunning opener through Fabinho. The Merseysiders then picked off Pep Guardiola’s side again with further goals from Mohamed Salah and Mane to make a title statement as they served notice that they were determined to claim City’s crown.
3. Leicester 0 Liverpool 4 (December 26th)
One of Liverpool’s best performances of the season came on Boxing Day when they dismantled a Leicester side who were going great guns under Brendan Rodgers. Coming off the back of their gruelling trip to Qatar when they secured the Club World Cup, many expected the Foxes, who were second at the time, to provide a stiff test. Klopp’s men had other ideas, though, producing a dominant away performance. Two goals from Roberto Firmino, a James Milner penalty and a fine strike from Alexander-Arnold wrapped up a convincing win that moved the Reds 13 points clear with a game in hand.
4. Liverpool 3 West Ham 2 (February 24th)
In contrast, this scrappy win over the Hammers at the end of February was another game when Klopp’s men simply got the job done under any circumstances as they continued their happy habit of edging tight matches. An early Georginio Wijnaldum header suggested this would be a routine evening but West Ham fought back well to deservedly lead. Then, in the final quarter of the game, Salah and Mane – so often the go-to men for goals when they needed them the most – were on target to force another three points.
5. Liverpool 4 Crystal Palace 0 (June 24th)
After a drab goalless draw in the Merseyside derby at Everton following the restart, Liverpool looked back to their very best when they tore Palace apart in a one-sided game to leave them on the verge of the title. Alexander-Arnold struck a brilliant free-kick to showcase his blossoming talent further before Salah, Fabinho and Mane wrapped up a convincing victory that displayed all the hallmarks of deserving champions.
*All odds correct at time of writing.