Neil Atkinson’s post-match review for The Anfield Wrap after Leicester City 0 Liverpool 1 in the 2024-2025 Premier League season…
BY the end, I never wanted to leave.
Wanted it again and again. Would give everything to go back to half past four and start again from scratch.
The end wasn’t the final whistle. It was 10 minutes after, 15 minutes after. Walking out I saw a man sat in our end, head in his hands, beaming smile, in tears. He didn’t want it to stop and neither did I.
I’ve seen Liverpool win the league. Actually, metaphorically, practically. But it’s the aftermath I can’t stop envisaging. All the aftermath there wasn’t last time.
The lift. The parade. The great swathe of summer, Glastonbury, the pool abroad, sitting in trees smiling at passers by, meeting up talking about it, seeing each other and grinning, knowing. The Charity Shield in the ground as Champions, the first home game, Goodison, Old Trafford, the sheer ineffable bliss of the thing and sharing the thing.
But this was something else we didn’t get last time – the feeling of being together, us and them, knowing we just need one more win. We never had that moment of bending the universe our way and glorying in what is about to happen. What is about to be.
The moment between this and that is amongst my favourites. I know it may not be yours, we all have a different relationship with gratification, needs and wants. But I love the tantalising journey, the luscious moment before bliss; the expanse of moment after it, contemplating it, remembering it.
Its richness and depth and shock of colour. Truffle and pomegranate bursting; scallop and bubblegum popping. The steak you cut into, the flesh you are about to bite, the lips you are on the verge of kissing.
Final whistle and there is Mo Salah coming over alone with one finger raised. Tattooed on my retina forever. He knows the moment.
One more, then. Next time we meet, we meet with it in our hands. Let’s just forget about Crystal Palace. Either way, should Arsenal win or should Arsenal lose, it will be in our hands. We will be together, facing Tottenham, facing the league title, all together.
No one is going to argue with any time Liverpool win the league. Winning today would have been just fine. But next week we will be at home, in our own place with our people, in the holiest of holy places, packed to the rafters.
It may not be easy. But it is there. Look at it, I implore you.
Today it wasn’t easy: it wasn’t what was on the tin. This Leicester side are suddenly not for giving up after weeks of looking quite the opposite. Their possession in the first half is frustrating for Liverpool, but not as frustrating as their goalkeeper. Mads Hermansen is man of the match and he denies Liverpool over and over.
Evertonian Conor Coady organises his people at the back, and Bobby De Cordova-Reid is aggressive at the front. He’s an experienced player and likes to play against us. He’s scored against us before and tears out from the right towards Liverpool’s backline.
Leicester are set up well with Mavididi on the opposing wing also causing us trouble. Jamie Vardy not so much, but it doesn’t stop Ibrahima Konate looking shaky from time to time, with missed passes slowing Liverpool’s breaks. Bradley plays well again, but he’s under pressure.
The home side even manage to get one in the back of the net first half, quickly ruled out by the ref. Both sides hit the woodwork, as if some forcefield is making life extra difficult for forwards today. Perhaps it is the defensive imperative, perhaps being towards the end of a long season, everyone’s legs waning.
If Liverpool are going to score, they are going to wait for it. Leicester are determined to crowd around Mo Salah, and Luis Diaz is not out left to make space. This is an attacking lineup, but without much teeth for most of the game.
Even when Jota is subbed on come the 60th minute we seem unable to make the most of our firepower. Our forwards are not being lucky today. Seems right that Liverpool’s goal in the end comes from the right back. Seems right that Liverpool’s goal comes from the right back who owes us nothing, has given everything and may have decided he wants to give us no more, a line under it for pastures new.
Being frank I find myself in the middle on the whole question – not out of an orneriness, but out of empathy. I understand wanting life to be different. I understand wanting a different challenge or more money. But this – now, here – in the King Power with the opportunity we are all promised, the idea of turning your back feels all too much because what we have is special. Because this is the best football club in the world. That’s it. Everything is down from here. I can tell you that because I don’t want to leave the King Power, want to be here forever.
The world doesn’t work that way. I have to leave. We have to leave. Things have to change and move on. Soon we will have the opportunity to see them and him lift the league title with all of us in the ground. Seems right that Trent Alexander-Arnold scores for Liverpool for the first time with his left foot. He pulls his shirt off and runs towards the away fans all smiles.
All smiles.
Be all smiles. Be ready. Wear red because Virgil wants you to. Scream them home. Bring all the love and joy in the world. Remember the moments because the essence of this thing of ours is the collection of moments together and if someone moves on for any reason the moments never stop momenting.
One more. And then the greatest shared moment. But enjoy the week. Revel in it. Savour it.
It will be the last week Liverpool have won 19 league titles.
Download The Anfield Wrap’s free app for Liverpool FC podcasts, video and writing all in one place…
