Liverpool is on the brink of capturing their first league title in front of their fans in 35 years, and the excitement of this moment should not be overshadowed by the million-dollar talks off the field.
Back in 2020, securing the league was monumental. It was as if we finally shrugged off a burden that had been haunting us for three long decades.
With a staggering 99 Premier League points that year, Liverpool achieved greatness. Yet, due to the pandemic, we missed out on celebrating this triumph as a unified community – players, fans, and managers celebrating together.
While the European Cup is often considered the ultimate prize in football, with most fans prioritizing it over the league, there remains a sense of unfulfilled justice. The 30-year wait for a league title was never fully celebrated, leaving an unquenchable thirst for the Premier League victory party.
Yet, amidst this backdrop, some concerns loom over the uncertainty of Liverpool’s most impactful players – Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Trent is almost certainly bidding farewell, while the futures of the others hang in the balance.
While we could endlessly dissect every potential outcome, one thing remains clear: these uncertainties shouldn’t steal the joy of what is shaping up to be a remarkable chapter for the club – and let’s be honest, it likely won’t.
This season started with a distinct lack of optimism from pundits. Out of 30 BBC Sport experts, just one envisioned Liverpool finishing in the top two. The majority expected us to land in third place, a sentiment widely shared by the fanbase.
The departure of Jurgen Klopp sparked understandable fears of a decline.
Though many didn’t anticipate a dramatic fall like Arsenal or Manchester United post-Wenger and Ferguson, surpassing last season’s points tally seemed unrealistic, especially considering the sole addition to the squad was Federico Chiesa.
Yet, Arne Slot has skillfully bridged the old regime while stamping his own identity on the team’s tactics. With fewer injuries to contend with, the fatigue evident in last season appears manageable with a 12-point lead suggesting we’re on course to celebrate our 20th title by May.
Ultimately, football is about those exhilarating moments – scoring goals, clinching victories, and lifting trophies.
In today’s world, players face more scrutiny than ever, and individual ambitions are often prioritized over team achievements.
When Alexander-Arnold declared that winning the Ballon d’Or was more important to him than another Champions League victory, it signaled that his time at Liverpool might be drawing to a close.
The reception he receives at Anfield remains to be seen, though it’ll likely be more measured than expected.
It would be far better to keep a cool head and avoid letting such situations dampen the celebrations of a triumph we’ve been yearning for.
That timeless sentiment rings true: the club is greater than any player.
Liverpool’s title victory stands above individual uncertainties and preventing concerns about player departures, including those of Salah and Van Dijk, from overshadowing the achievement would be doing a disservice to the fans.
If Alexander-Arnold chooses personal glory over team success, let him seek it. In the grand scheme, Liverpool thrives as a cohesive unit. Let’s cherish this journey, for it remains the driving force behind our beloved club’s pursuits.
