- Liverpool will celebrate winning the Premier League title at Anfield on Sunday
- Two legends will return, individuals gongs will be given while other pay farewell
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Should Oliver Glasner leave Palace for Spurs?
After a 35-year wait, Liverpool will on Sunday celebrate winning the title in front of a packed-out Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s back, Alan Hansen will make an emotional appearance and then there’s the Trent situation.
Here’s what to expect…
King Klopp back at Anfield
The dress code in the posh seats may prohibit Jurgen Klopp from wearing a red Liverpool shirt but he has insisted to fans he will be ‘one of you’ at Anfield, supporting the team from the stands.
There is no jealousy from Klopp that the team have gone from strength to strength since his departure but you wouldn’t blame him if he thought: ‘Why did Manchester City collapse the second I walked away?’
Liverpool will on Sunday celebrate winning the title in front of a packed-out Anfield
Former manager Jurgen Klopp, now the head of football at Red Bull, will get a warm reception
City were the thorn in Klopp’s side during his nine years and he would have won more than one Premier League if not for his rival and friend Pep Guardiola.
Klopp, now the head of football at Red Bull, will get a warm reception and said on Friday that reports linking him to a new managerial job — Roma was the latest to be cited — are ‘s***’.
Emotional scenes at trophy lift
A metaphoric passing of the baton will take place at around 7pm when Hansen, the last Liverpool captain to lift the trophy in front of fans, will present the silverware to current skipper Virgil van Dijk.
Hansen, 69, won eight league titles — three wearing the armband. This club has had many stellar captains but Van Dijk is up there with Hansen and Steven Gerrard as one of the greatest.
It also comes a year since Hansen was taken seriously ill. What a touching moment it will be to see him, fit and well again, on the stage.
Former Reds captain Alan Hansen will present the silverware to current skipper Virgil van Dijk
Gravenberch and Salah to get individual gongs
Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch will also be presented with gongs for Premier League player and young player of the season respectively.
Unless Alexander Isak scores five goals for Newcastle on Sunday — and Salah fails to net against Crystal Palace — the Egyptian will also get the Golden Boot and the Playmaker Award for most assists.
Dutch midfielder Gravenberch told us yesterday: ‘I saw some clips this week from Virgil when they had the parade for the Champions League. And there were so many people, so I’m so excited about Monday and what’s happening now.’
Slot and Klopp call for respect for Trent
Manager Arne Slot has called on fans to get behind everyone, so, with hindsight, the announcement of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit was timed well. Fans who booed have hopefully got that out of their systems now.
Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch will also be presented with gongs for Premier League player and young player of the season respectively
It will be Trent Alexander-Arnold’s final appearance at Anfield as a Liverpool player
Klopp said on Friday night: ‘I don’t tell you you should not be disappointed, you should not be angry. Just don’t forget.’
Who else could wave goodbye?
If Liverpool are to have the ‘big summer’ that Van Dijk talks of in terms of incomings, they will need to balance the books, too.
Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott, Caoimhin Kelleher, Federico Chiesa, Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah are some of the bigger names who could be on the move.
