Liverpool Wins Premier League Without Breaking a Sweat

LIVERPOOL, England — The first fireworks burst into the clear, still sky a few minutes early, a thud, a fizz and a crackle of what was to come. It had not happened — not quite, not yet — but after 30 long years, a little impatience was understandable.

A long, sultry day, the hottest of the year, had given way to a warm, quiet evening. The fireworks broke the peace, heralded the shift. Then came the car horns, blaring and echoing around empty streets, a joyous Morse code in their short, sharp blasts, summoning people from their homes, confirming that the moment had arrived.

In London, Chelsea had beaten Manchester City, 2-1. Liverpool’s lead at the summit of the Premier League had been first impressive, then daunting, then unimaginable. Now, at last, it was insurmountable. For the first time since 1990, Liverpool was champion of England.

And then, almost out of nowhere, the pilgrimage began. The tight streets around the club’s stadium choked with traffic. Flags fluttered from windows, scarves twirled above heads. Around them, the sidewalks were suddenly filled with people: hundreds and hundreds all of the same mind, all with the same destination, all drawn to Anfield.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/sports/soccer/liverpool-premier-league.html