Liverpool's Final Points Towards Finish Line

LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY - Liverpool and champions are two words that were very far apart at the beginning of the English Premier League season. Starting from the loss of a legendary manager, passive transfer activities, to three stars whose contracts were about to expire, raised questions about "The Reds." Who would have thought that Liverpool is now just one point away from the championship title.

Not many people were backing Liverpool when the season started. Even their former defender, Jamie Carragher, predicted that Arne Slot's team would finish third at best. Not only humans, the supercomputer Opta also gave Liverpool a 5.1 percent chance of winning the title.

The doubt has turned into certainty. Ahead of the 34th week, the chances of winning from Opta have risen to 99.9 percent. Liverpool are so close to the finish line. They only need a draw when they host Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield Stadium, on Sunday (27/4/2025) at 22.30 WIB, to win the 20th league title.

Liverpool leads the standings with 79 points from 33 matches, leaving second-placed Arsenal behind with 67 points from 34 matches. On paper, "The Reds" are almost certain to be champions. It is merely a matter of time. However, they can make the victory feel even more special with a championship celebration at Anfield this weekend.

Everyone is looking forward to Sunday, but we still have to finish the job, at least get a point.

The championship celebration, according to Slot, cannot be postponed. The players have been waiting for this for four years. Mohamed Salah and his teammates successfully won the league for the first time in 30 years during the 2020-2021 season, but it felt incomplete due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There was no celebration with the fans at that time.

"First of all, it is a great responsibility because we realize that the last time this club was champion was during the pandemic. Everyone is looking forward to Sunday, but we still have to complete our task, at least securing one point. We will face Tottenham, which also has a special mission in preparation for the (semifinal) Europa League," said Slot.

On paper, Liverpool should have no trouble securing at least one point against Tottenham. They hold the status of the best home team in the league, remaining unbeaten in their last 14 matches at Anfield. "The Reds" only need to demonstrate once again the consistency in their performance, which has been the greatest factor in their success throughout this season.

For Liverpool, the upcoming 20th championship trophy holds greater significance. It is not merely an addition to the club's trophy cabinet. It will affirm that the dark era anticipated following the departure of manager Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season did not materialize. The team has been able to take control without significant turbulence.

A coach who has never led a major team throughout his coaching career has successfully managed a dressing room filled with star players. The achievement feels even greater as it was accomplished without any grand transfer activities. The Dutch coach has primarily utilized the legacy of players left behind by Klopp.

Tottenham's Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has been in England for two seasons. For him, the greatest challenge in the world's most competitive league is maintaining performance at the highest level. This has been successfully achieved by Slot. "I have never dismissed the possibility that he is an outstanding coach (since the beginning of the season)," he said.

The slot not only manages to bring out the best potential of two key players, Salah (32) and Virgil van Dijk (33), at a relatively advanced age. It also successfully keeps both from leaving when their contracts expire this coming summer. Salah and Van Dijk, the foundation of Klopp's project, are willing to invest their future in Slot's new era.

Due to their consistent presence at the highest level, achieving just one English League trophy at the end of the season will feel insufficient for Liverpool. They were also favored to compete in the FA Cup, League Cup, and Champions League. However, that consistency did not carry over beyond the league, in addition to facing some misfortune.

Cody Gakpo, the Liverpool forward, stated that the league trophy will determine the success of this season. "This is the result of hard work throughout the year. We did lose in the final (of the League Cup), and were eliminated from the FA Cup and the Champions League. However, if we win the league, this season will be extraordinary and we can build the future from there," he said.

Although a draw would suffice, Slot is still aiming for victory at Anfield. For him, the championship celebration would feel more complete if they can conquer Tottenham when the final whistle blows. In their last encounter at Anfield during the League Cup semifinals, Liverpool won decisively with a score of 4-0.

Tottenham visited with three consecutive defeats on the road. However, their performance in the domestic league can no longer serve as a standard for evaluating Son Heung-min and his teammates at this time. They have shifted their focus to the Europa League, ahead of the semifinal match against Bodo/Glimt next week.

Postecoglou stated that he will not simply hand over the championship title. He wants to focus on maintaining his team's momentum. "I think we will go there and compete with them, not just to get through this match without injuries. You can see the true capabilities when facing a big team," he concluded. (AP/REUTERS)