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The upcoming Premier League season is the start of a new era for Liverpool fans. Jurgen Klopp’s departure in May saw the end of the German’s tenure at Anfield, and a new manager in the dugout for the first since 2015 under Arne Slot, with those who bet on football unsure how to react to the Dutchman’s appointment.
Slot’s arrival was something left of the field. Having been linked with big names like Thomas Tuchel and Xabi Alonso, the Reds eventually settled for the former Feyenoord boss, who is looking to guide Liverpool to their 20th league title.
It’s been five years since Klopp won the Premier League in the 2019/20 season. It was one of the most dominant campaigns in the history of the English top flight, culminating with 99 points and ending a barren run for the title that had extended back to 1990.
In this article, we take a look at how Liverpool’s ‘Inevitables’ dealt with the challenges of the transfer window and the pandemic to win the league in 2020.
Making a fast start
The Reds arrived into the new campaign full of confidence. Despite missing out on the league the season before with 97 points, they had won their sixth Champions League with a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid and had a tight-knit squad spearheaded by an exciting front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
An opening-day victory over newly promoted Norwich City was followed by a UEFA Super Cup win over Chelsea, and from there the Reds would carry the baton.
A season defined by late winners
Following a late draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford – Adam Lallana’s equaliser salvaging a point in the 85th minute – Liverpool would go on a run of wins that would carry them through until March 2020.
The Reds won 26 of their first 27 games, many of which came with strikes late in the day. Klopp’s side always found a way to win, from a James Milner penalty against Leicester City to Mane’s looping header at Villa Park to some Firmino magic against Crystal Palace.
They made several big statement victories along the way as well, including thrashing reigning champions City 3-1 and a 4-0 victory over potential title contenders Leicester just days after winning the Club World Cup in Qatar.
‘Now you’re going to believe us’
Given how their last few attempts at the title had gone, Liverpool fans were reluctant to jinx themselves ahead of the business end of the campaign. However, a 2-0 win at home to Man United at the end of January made the Kop believe at last.
Salah pounced on an Alisson long ball in the game’s dying embers to win the game and send the side 16 points clear with a game in hand. The crowd went wild and finally sang about Liverpool winning the league for the first time in 30 years.
Dealing with setbacks
Like every season, Liverpool dealt with their share of setbacks in the campaign. Their reluctance to spend in the summer transfer window – signing only Harvey Elliott and Adrian on cut-price deals – culminated in an early FA Cup exit to Chelsea as well as their first defeat of the season away to Watford.
A matter of weeks later and the coronavirus pandemic forced the season to be delayed for over three months – many fans thinking the title would never be heading to Anfield.
Project restart and championship ceremony
Liverpool returned to action at Goodison Park in the Merseyside Derby in June and won the title four days later when City failed to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The streets of Liverpool were littered with red pyrotechnics and adoring fans, although the stadiums were still empty, as Klopp’s side were greeted with a guard of honour for each of their remaining games.
Defeats to City and Arsenal prevented Liverpool from Centurion status. However, a win against Newcastle on the final day of the season ensured the Reds finished with 99 points – their highest tally in a Premier League campaign.
The side were dubbed as the ‘Inevitables’ by many – their patience throughout the pandemic rewarded with England’s top prize, lifted inside of a reconstructed Kop – champions of England, Europe and the World within 12 months.
They picked up 110 points in the 38 games between February 2019 and February 2020, breaking numerous Premier League records, including being the side to secure the title in the fewest games possible. A phenomenal football team.
