Key events
Back to Liverpool’s title coronations of yore. In 1923 they cantered to the championship with sufficient ease that by the time it was actually confirmed nobody was very interested, and most of the Guardian’s football coverage was devoted to other issues.
Saturday brought a settlement of some of the Football League problems that have been perplexing us ever since certain clubs singled themselves out for championships, relegation, or promotion. Liverpool earned only one point in their home match with Huddersfield, but that was sufficient to assure them of the championship and to make them the first to secure the trophy twice in succession since the League was extended.
Huddersfield’s draw at Liverpool, where the champions scored their goal near the end, gave the Yorkshire club a chance to finish second, as Sunderland, who were well beaten at Burnley, have fallen off since all prospect of their overhauling Liverpool disappeared.
Some of the scenes outside Anfield this afternoon as fans waited for, and welcomed, the team coach:
I present the Guardian’s coverage of Liverpool winning the league title in 1922, in full:
The championship of the Football League was settled in favour of Liverpool yesterday when they alone of the clubs in the running for the honour won their game. They had Burnley as opponents, and in a hard game beat them by two goals to one. Burnley drew level in the second half, but could not prevent Liverpool from scoring again.
Consider yourselves informed.
This is how we reported Liverpool’s title success in 1906. Given how little we had to say about their win in 1901, and how little we would have to say about their win in 1922, it’s really quite extensive reportage. Interesting that the first paragraph is given over to explaining why winning the league isn’t anything like as impressive as winning the FA Cup.
Liverpool have had a great League course, and they have strong claims to be considered the best team in the country. Of course winning the Association Cup is justly regarded as the highest of all football honours, and the best proof of supremacy among the teams of the country. The Cup competition provides a brief trial, for which each club needs to send its best team, and each team can prepare itself and collect all its strength. The League struggle is largely a test of club resources, it is liable to various interferences, and there is in it, of course, immense scope for the occurrence of accidents. In its later stage, when the international matches enlist the chief champions and the middle teams, without either fear or hope, begin to take things easily, the competition becomes a little unreal.
The Liverpool team has, however, shown exceptionally fine quality in the League series this season. Whether it has played better football than Newcastle or Aston Villa or Bolton Wanderers have when at their best is doubtful, but there is no doubt that it has given a greater number of fine displays than any other side. It has ended by showing itself a team of true fighters, and by resisting resolute challenges with splendid endurance and pluck. Manchester City, by a noble spurt, actually overtook Liverpool a few weeks ago, but Manchester, and not Liverpool, collapsed at their critical moment. When it is remembered that Liverpool lost five of their first eight matches in the early weeks of the season, when form is always topsy-turvy, no one can doubt that they are thoroughly deserving champions.
The teams!
Here’s the all-important team news. Liverpool have picked their 11 most-picked players in league games this season – everyone who has started more than 16 games is starting this one:
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Diaz. Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Quansah.
Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Spence, Danso, Davies, Udogie, Bergvall, Gray, Maddison, Johnson, Solanke, Tel. Subs: Kinsky, Bissouma, Richarlison, Romero, Kulusevski, Porro, Odobert, Sarr, Van de Ven.
Referee: Thomas Bramall.
At the risk of being presumptuous, I’ve been spending my early afternoon reading Guardian reporting of previous Liverpool title successes. It is fair to say we have covered some better than others. Here, for example, is the full and unexpurgated text of our report on the club’s very first, published on 30 April 1901:
In a football match at West Bromwich yesterday Liverpool defeated West Bromwich Albion by one goal to nil. This victory secured to Liverpool the championship of the English Association Football League.
Yes, that was it. The sport section wasn’t particularly big at the time, though there was space for a very long report on a golf tournament. Anyway, more to come.
Hello world!
Anfield, Sunday 27 April 2025, 4pm BST
Anfield, Sunday 27 April 2025, 6.30pm BST?
A full and fan-packed Anfield has not celebrated a league title since 1990. Is today the day?
