Why Liverpool's Premier League title will be 'extra special' after Jurgen Klopp disappointment
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler belives a Premier League title will spark impressive celebrations around Anfield after the Reds last win suffered a tempered reaction due to Covid-19 restrictions
Robbie Fowler has insisted Liverpool winning the title this season will still be “extra special” after Covid stopped a proper party in 2020. And the Reds legend reckons next week’s Merseyside derby is the perfect fixture to return to action after painful defeats in the Champions League and Carabao Cup final.
Liverpool ended a 30-year wait for a top-flight title under Jurgen Klopp five years ago. But although thousands of fans gathered outside Anfield to celebrate a 19th title, supporters had been urged to “stay home” because of the coronavirus.
From hopes of a Quadruple, the Premier League title is now the only silverware that Arne Slot can win in his first season at the club. But Fowler said claiming a second title in 35 years should still be recognised as a massive achievement - and there can now be a celebration to match.
“There is mega-disappointment because Liverpool got to a final and lost,” he said. .“But if you sat any Liverpool fan down at the start of the season said: ‘Look, you'll do well in the Champions League and then you get to a final, but you're going to win the Premier League. Would you take it?’
READ MORE: Liverpool can still make millions from Trent Alexander-Arnold exit due to FIFA rule changeREAD MORE: Liverpool fans in complete agreement on Luis Diaz after Colombia performance“And I think the obvious answer is yes - you want to win the Premier League because a lot of the fans missed the last time we did one, obviously because it was COVID and no fans were in the stadium, so I think this one will be extra special.
“I think the specialness of this will probably override anything that has been negative during the season. There's obviously major, major disappointment, but I think the big picture is that they're still in a healthy and in a very, very good place.
“If Liverpool were three points clear or five points clear I'd probably be maybe a little bit wary or a little bit worried. But they are in such a healthy position now with the 12 points clear with nine games to go. Liverpool in theory need to lose maybe five games, something they've not done for two years. It's going to be a tall order for anyone to sort of catch them.”
Liverpool need another 16 points from their final nine games to guarantee a second Premier League title. They could claim the title on Sunday 13 April at home to West Ham if closest challengers Arsenal lose their next three Premier League games around their Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid.
But next up on Wednesday is a clash with Everton after the two rivals shared a thrilling 2-2 draw in the last derby at Goodison Park last month .
“It is a good game to have next - it is a massive game,” Fowler added. “Everton have been flying, they haven't lost in nine. It'll be good for them to give Liverpool fans a little bit of a worry.
"I think everyone remembers last year with people saying: ‘You lost the league at Goodison’ (Everton won 2-0 on April 24). I don't think they did, but you know the fans sort of hang onto that. It's definitely a moment that could spur the fans on and the players probably need that little bit of a lift as well.
"You roll on a year later, you've got a chance of playing Everton and really cementing that Premier League. So they need that performance where he can maybe get the cobwebs of certainly the last three or four games.”
Robbie Fowler’s North England FC will take on Harry Redknapp’s South England FC at Charlton Athletic’s The Valley on Sunday June 1. Adult tickets are priced at just £15 and £5 for Under-18s – click here for more details.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes more than 1,000 live matches each season across the Premier League, EFL and more.