Chapter 621 - 323: The Fate of the League Championship

The news of overturning a 3-goal deficit to beat Barça at Camp Nou lingered for several days.

Tendou and Riko felt this most deeply. Now, when they walked the streets of Liverpool, almost every local greeted them enthusiastically. Some, being polite and not wanting to disturb them, would simply wave.

In this atmosphere, after a single day of rest, the entire Liverpool team threw themselves back into training.

Because on May 12th, Liverpool would host the final Premier League match of the season at their home ground. Their opponent was Wolves, currently ranked seventh in the league.

For the people of Liverpool, the importance of this match was even greater than the comeback against Barça at Camp Nou. Because if they could win this match, Liverpool would secure the long-awaited top-flight league championship.

It was worth mentioning that Liverpool's opponent for the Champions League final had been decided.

Just one day after Liverpool's comeback against Barça, Tottenham traveled to the Johan Cruyff Arena to face Ajax in an away match.

In the end, Tottenham defeated Ajax 3-2 away from home. Lucas Moura completed a hat-trick, scoring all three goals. With the aggregate score tied at 3-3, Tottenham advanced to the Champions League final on away goals.

Klopp felt it was a bit of a pity. Compared to Tottenham, he would have preferred to face Ajax in the final.

But that was a matter for June 2nd. For now, Liverpool had to focus on the final league match.

May 12, 2019.

The temperature in Liverpool wasn't particularly high, but at this moment, the city felt like a furnace. The people of Liverpool just wanted to finish their work for the day and welcome the team's final match of the season—and the potential league title!

Since the 1989-90 season, Liverpool had not won another top-flight league championship. Since the First Division was rebranded as the Premier League, they had not won a single title.

For a prestigious club with a century of history, such a record was undoubtedly humiliating. They watched helplessly as their arch-rivals, Manchester United, dominated the Premier League year after year, while Liverpool was left behind.

This had been going on for nearly 30 years!!!

What can happen in 30 years? Let's put it this way. 30 years ago in the football world, club legends like Dalglish and Ian Rush were still playing for the team. A long-haired Maradona was at the peak of his career, and Germany was in the era of its "Three Musketeers"...

Now, all of these men have gray hair. Some Liverpool fans from that era have since passed away.

It could be said that without the 2005 Champions League title, the life of a Liverpool fan in this generation has been too painful compared to those before the 90s. Year after year, they were filled with hope, and year after year, they ended the season in tears.

When the sun rose the next day, they would start all over again. Day after day, the people of Liverpool have lived like this for 30 years!

So, will this year be any different?

"The people of Liverpool have waited many years for this title, I know that!"

"But what does that have to do with us?"

"..."

When asked about this, the Wolves manager, Lage, gave his answer to the press with a deadpan expression a few days ago.

Although they were currently 7th in the league, only one spot away from the European qualification zone, the sixth-place team, Manchester City, was already a full 6 points ahead of them. In other words, the outcome of this match, win or lose, would not affect Wolves' ranking.

However, that didn't mean Wolves would give up the match and let Liverpool win their title after 30 years. It's worth noting that if Liverpool secured 3 points from this match, they would become only the second team in Premier League history to break 100 points in a season. Wolves had no desire to be the backdrop for such a historic moment.

Besides, Wolves had won nothing this year. Shattering Liverpool's dream would be a decent achievement.

To put it bluntly, they had no intention of letting Liverpool win the title!

"No one can stop Liverpool from winning this trophy!"

"Our fans have waited 30 long years for this championship!"

"And our goal isn't just one title, but many. You can let your imaginations run wild!"

"Tonight is just the beginning. After this, we will bring Liverpool back to its original place, back to where we belong!"

Klopp's words were even more forceful.

Back to its original place?

Of course, he meant the top spot in the Premier League.

The current top dog of the Premier League was none other than Liverpool's arch-rival, Manchester United. They held a total of 20 English top-flight league titles. During the Ferguson era, he alone helped Manchester United win a staggering 13 Premier League championships.

As for Liverpool, they currently had 18 top-flight titles, but all of them were from the old First Division era; they had none in the Premier League. For Liverpool to return to "their place," they would need at least two more Premier League titles to catch up to Manchester United.

And so, under the expectant gazes of countless people, the final, decisive day of the Premier League season finally arrived.

From 8 AM, Liverpool had already been painted red.

On the streets!

In the schools!

In residential areas!

Posters of Liverpool stars could be seen everywhere.

Today, the people of Liverpool were undoubtedly in a frenzy.

"Tendou!"

"Salah!"

"Trent!"

"Mané!"

"..."

The moment the Liverpool team bus appeared, the entire city seemed to erupt. The streets were lined with passionate Liverpool fans on both sides. They raised their team flags high, cheering for the team.

"This is Anfield, and we will absolutely not allow any opponent to stop us from winning the title here!"

"..."

In the home team's locker room, Klopp delivered his usual passionate pre-match motivation.

Less than four days had passed since Liverpool's away comeback against Barça. Most of the Liverpool players were still physically exhausted.

However, at this moment, every single Liverpool player was incredibly excited. They had fought for an entire season, and today was the day to reap the rewards. Nothing could stop them!

7:30 PM.

Less than half an hour remained until the official start of the match, but the songs of Anfield already echoed through the sky. Countless Liverpool fans waited with bated breath, while also keeping an eye on another match.

At such a crucial time, the final-round matches for Liverpool and Manchester City were, of course, scheduled to be played simultaneously. If Manchester City were to lose their away game against Brighton, then Liverpool would win the championship regardless of their own result.

Naturally, the Liverpool fans would be paying close attention to the other match happening at the same time.