Al Jazeera

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says winning the Premier League title is an achievement the club would never take for granted after the Merseysiders thrashed Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 to secure a 20th top-flight crown in front of a roaring Anfield.

Liverpool’s victory on Sunday gave Arne Slot’s side an unassailable 15-point lead over second-placed Arsenal with four games left in the season as they clinched the title for only the second time in the Premier League era.

“It’s special, and it’s something that we don’t take for granted. It’s amazing what today was,” van Dijk told Sky Sports as the players took a lap of honour around Anfield.

“A lot of emotions before the game, during the whole week. We got the job done, and we truly deserve to be champions of England.

“[It’s] the most beautiful club in the world. I think we deserve all of this. Let’s enjoy the next couple of weeks and let it sink in.”

Liverpool first lifted the Premier League trophy five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic when the fans were not allowed inside the stadium to celebrate their first league title in 30 years.

This time, however, the fans turned up at a packed Anfield, serenading the players with the club’s anthem, You’ll Never Walk Alone.

“Yeah, I was desperate for them [to be here], of course, for all the fans around the world, for the fans here, but for us as well,” van Dijk said.

“We got two Premier League trophies in five years, so that’s still a good achievement.”

Liverpool had also thrashed Spurs 6-3 in the reverse fixture in December, and as a sea of red welcomed the team bus at Anfield, Slot said they could not let their fans down with the title within their grasp.

“It was clear we couldn’t lose this game. Everyone on the bus said, ‘There’s no way we’re going to lose this game,'” said Slot, who won the title in his debut season at Liverpool – a club that had only won one league title in 34 years prior to his arrival.

“They always find a way to win. [I’m] incredibly proud, not only of the players but the people standing here – sport directors, my staff members. We should give them a big round of applause.

“Let’s forget it’s the second [title] in 35 years. It’s the second in five years!”

Liverpool roared back from a goal behind to thrash Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 and wrap up the Premier League title in style on a momentous day at Anfield.

Needing only a point on Sunday to ensure a record-equalling 20th English title with four games remaining, Liverpool were rocked in the 12th minute as Dominic Solanke headed Tottenham in front.

But the title party was only temporarily silenced as Liverpool struck back with a Luis Diaz tap-in, an Alexis Mac Allister thunderbolt and a Cody Gakpo shot before halftime.

A one-sided second half saw Mohamed Salah end a six-match scoring drought by firing a low shot past Guglielmo Vicario in the 63rd minute – and celebrating his 28th league goal of an outstanding season by snapping a selfie with a fan.

Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie then bundled in an own goal to complete a miserable afternoon for the visitors, who have lost 19 Premier League games this season.

Liverpool, who have now matched Manchester United’s English titles record, have 82 points from 34 games played, with Arsenal a distant second on 67.

Dutchman Arne Slot is only the fifth manager to win the Premier League title in his debut season in English soccer, and while it was a formality before kickoff on Sunday, there was still the small matter of Liverpool ensuring the cake was iced in front of their own adoring fans.

Five years ago, when Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool ended a 30-year wait for a 19th title, the COVID-19 pandemic meant an anti-climactic finale inside an empty stadium.

Sunday more than made up for that as the fans went through their choir book of club anthems.

Sixteenth-placed Tottenham, who made eight changes to their starting lineup with one eye on Thursday’s Europa League semifinal, arrived as sacrificial lambs, but momentarily silenced the Kop as former Liverpool player Solanke headed in James Maddison’s corner.

Liverpool were only behind for four minutes, though.

Diaz, appearing in his 100th Premier League game for the club, tapped in Dominik Szoboszlai’s low cross, and while it was initially disallowed for offside, the decision was overturned after a VAR check to sighs of relief all round.

Eight minutes later, the party was in full swing as Liverpool took the lead with a special goal by Mac Allister – one of the real unsung heroes in Liverpool’s midfield engine room.

Tottenham gave possession away trying to play out from the back, and when the ball arrived at the feet of the Argentine World Cup winner, he thumped a left-footed shot high beyond Vicario.

With the visitors now fully complying with their role as props in Liverpool’s parade, the hosts began to run riot as Gakpo slammed in his side’s third goal after 34 minutes.

All that was left to complete a perfect day was a goal for Kop idol Salah, and he duly obliged after the break.

Follow our live build-up, with full team news and analysis, before our comprehensive photo and text commentary stream.