Egypt Daily News – Liverpool managed to clinch the English Premier League title and equal the record held by Manchester United (20 titles), after a sweeping 5-1 victory over struggling Tottenham on Sunday in the 34th round. Many believed that with Klopp’s departure, Liverpool would enter a difficult phase under new Dutch manager Arne Slot, but he defied expectations—first leading the team to the League Cup final (where they lost to Newcastle United), and then successfully securing the league title on Sunday.
On Sunday, Liverpool secured the English championship for the 20th time in their history, matching the record previously held by rivals Manchester United.
Liverpool entered the match needing only a draw to secure the title with four rounds remaining, after their closest pursuers Arsenal stumbled with a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace on Wednesday. But they achieved more than that, earning their third consecutive win and 25th of the season.
Liverpool matched the league title record, which was theirs until 2011, when United overtook them and won their 20th title in 2013 under legendary Scottish manager Sir Alex Ferguson. United then entered a drought similar to Liverpool’s own long wait—from 1990 until their 19th title in 2020 under former manager Jürgen Klopp.
Slot following in Klopp’s footsteps
Many had expected Liverpool to struggle after Klopp’s departure following eight brilliant seasons, but Arne Slot proved the doubters wrong. He led them to the League Cup final and now to league glory.
In contrast, Tottenham approach the final stretch of the season with only one win in their last eight matches, suffering six losses in that span. They now sit 16th in the table, and their Australian coach Ange Postecoglou’s future is in doubt. The only possible salvation for the season lies in the Europa League, where they’ve reached the semifinals and will host Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt on Thursday before the return leg a week later.
As for the match, it didn’t start the way Liverpool hoped—it was the fourth meeting between the sides this season—and they found themselves behind in the 12th minute with a header by Dominic Solanke following a corner by James Maddison.
But Colombian Luis Díaz equalized four minutes later with his 12th league goal of the season after a cross from Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai. The goal was initially ruled offside after a pass from Egyptian Mohamed Salah, but VAR intervened and allowed the goal (16′).
Salah on top
Dutchman Cody Gakpo thought he had put the hosts ahead, but his goal was disallowed for an offside on Salah (20′). Slot’s team didn’t wait long to take the lead for real—Argentine Alexis Mac Allister scored with a stunning long-range shot in the 24th minute.
Liverpool essentially sealed the result when Gakpo added the third goal in the 34th minute after a failed clearance from a corner, firing low into the right corner.
Liverpool confirmed their third win over Tottenham this season—after beating them 6-3 away and 1-0 in the League Cup semifinal first leg before losing 0-4 in the return leg—when Salah scored the fourth in the 63rd minute. The goal came after a swift counterattack starting near their own box, led by Szoboszlai, who passed to Salah. The Egyptian forward beat the defense and struck with his left foot into the net.
Salah raised his tally to 28 league goals, leading the scoring charts, and 33 in 48 matches across all competitions this season.
He also played a part in the fifth goal, which was accidentally turned into his own net by Italian defender Destiny Udogie in the 69th minute, opening the door for celebrations at Anfield.
