There were tears and texts. Solo beers and emotional phone calls. It was a different kind of wonderful. Traditionally, the most memorable nights in Liverpool’s history have been characterised by packed stadiums, hugs, mayhem and songs that raised roofs. In the surreal, echoey atmosphere of locked-down football, the Premier League title winged its way to Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s team became champions in a manner no one could have predicted when the campaign started in August. They will talk about this season forever on Merseyside. Not just because the team is one of the finest in the club’s history. No, when the story of this Premier League is told it will feature a global pandemic , attempts by puny rivals to make the season null and void and negate Liverpool’s unstoppable brilliance and the empty feeling that comes with behind-closed-doors matches. It will be a saga of epic challenges. Tales will be told of Jurgen Klopp’s genius , of the mental resilience of his players. The narrative will explain that a fan base desperate to participate in glory was forced to watch from home but still ended up savouring the moment. Liverpool clinch Premier League title as Manchester City relinquish their crown at Chelsea Liverpool’s history is sprinkled with emotive moments, many glorious , some painful . This one ranks with the most significant. On Thursday, June 25, they won the Premier League . The actual action was underwhelming and did not even feature the champions-elect. Manchester City needed to win at Stamford Bridge to keep at least the notion of a title race alive. All the flaws of Pep Guardiola’s team came to the fore and Chelsea cemented their place in the top four with a 2-1 victory. Who really cared about what happened in west London, though? The champions-in-waiting were together in a hotel on Merseyside, watching on television just like the fans. Jurgen Klopp follows Bill Shankly’s lead to make Liverpool dreams come true Klopp and his team knew that it was only a matter of time before they were anointed winners. They maintained their focus and intensity throughout the three-month lay-off. The enormity of their achievement finally hit them after the final whistle at Stamford Bridge. They looked as dazed as the supporters when their moment finally came. It was joyous and emotional. It was even more moving for the fans. The last title in 1990 was overshadowed by the Hillsborough disaster 13 months earlier. Back then, it seemed inconceivable that Liverpool could go three years without winning the league, never mind three decades. As each season passed, the realisation sunk deeper that Anfield was no longer the seat of power in English football. Even two Champions League victories were scant consolation – the default retort of rival fans was “you’ve never won the Premier League.” This was as true as it was misleading; Liverpool had topped the table 18 times but not after the rebranding of the top flight in 1992. Until now. A generation of Kopites has grown into adulthood in the intervening years. Another generation died off, clinging to the end in hope that next year would be Liverpool’s year. And finally that year has come, sadly in another time of tragedy. It is hard enough for supporters sitting at home and missing the friends they gather with to watch the matches. It is even more difficult for those who have lost loved ones to Covid-19. Sadness and joy are swirling around together tonight. In mere football terms a new age has begun at Anfield. Winning the title is only the next step in Klopp’s master plan. He is not content with this latest trophy. He wants more. “This is the most difficult year to become champions,” he told me last week. “We made it special. From my point of view it will be most special because it has been the most extraordinary year I’ve had in my life. From a success point of view, of course, but from a crisis point of view as well. We never had a situation like this. To deal with the situation and still become champions? That’s massive, 100 per cent massive.” Klopp produced a masterpiece of management. After pushing City so close the previous season, there was the possibility that the team might lose belief. Finishing second after earning 97 points in 2018-19 may have been enough to put doubt in the minds of a lesser squad. How could they improve on that performance? Liverpool not only improved but have put themselves in a position to smash the record points tally. Their greatness is undeniable. And taking Klopp at his word, it could well be easier for his team next season. They can take their foot off the gas and prepare for the upcoming campaign that starts in September. Most of their main Premier League rivals are in disarray and City, the most dangerous domestic opponents, have a multitude of problems which will worsen if their two-year Champions League ban is upheld. The future will take care of itself, though. The past has been swept away. For every Liverpool fan it is just about the moment for now; a moment that some worried would never come. Youngsters will never forget their first time. Those who are older can feel a release from the burden of 30 years. Klopp has not turned back the ticking, unstoppable clock; he has reset it in the best possible way. Liverpool are champions again. All may not be well in the world but there is some solace on Merseyside. The title has come home to Anfield. Don’t go away for so long again.