Liverpool sealed the Premier League title with four games to spare, leaving them with little left to play for except pride and celebration. Meanwhile, opponents Crystal Palace arrived at Anfield still buzzing from their FA Cup triumph a week earlier, setting the stage for a festive atmosphere.
However, the party nearly stalled as Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw, despite playing the final 20 minutes with 10 men after Ryan Gravenberch’s red card.
Palace struck first when Ismaila Sarr capitalized on a defensive error, slotting home in the 9th minute. Liverpool responded with waves of attacks, with Luis Diaz hitting the crossbar and forcing a superb save from Dean Henderson.
The Reds’ persistence paid off when Mohamed Salah already crowned Golden Boot and Playmaker of the Season winner fired in an 84th-minute equalizer, matching Andy Cole and Alan Shearer’s record of 47 goals in a single Premier League campaign.
Liverpool 1-1 crystal palace
After the final whistle, Virgil van Dijk lifted the trophy in front of a packed Anfield a stark contrast to their pandemic-hit 2020 title win.
“Winning during COVID wasn’t the same,” Salah told Sky Sports. “But today, with the fans here, you feel what it truly means.”
New manager Arne Slot, soaking in the celebrations, acknowledged the significance: “The fans waited 35 years for this moment last time, they couldn’t be here. Tonight, we saw how much it meant to them.”
As fireworks lit up the sky, Liverpool’s players savored their hard-earned triumph, finally celebrating a title the way it deserved surrounded by their roaring supporters.