LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
It just had to be him. And rarely has there been a more fitting finale to a Liverpool season.
As the Reds were in danger of ending their title-winning campaign with a frustrating defeat to Crystal Palace, Mohamed Salah did what he has done throughout almost all of the last nine-and-a-bit months.
Only five minutes remained when, with Liverpool trailing 1-0, substitute Darwin Nunez floated a cross to the far post and the ever-willing Cody Gakpo knocked the ball back into the danger zone.
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And there was Salah, pouncing for the 34th time this season – and a 29th occasion in the Premier League – to fire in a shot that deflected home off Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.
In truth, nothing was ever going to poop the party that had started among the fanbase long before a ball had even been kicked at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
But the cheer that greeted Salah’s equaliser, and the subsequent celebrations of the Egyptians, spoke volumes. This was exactly what supporters had come to see.
Immediately after the final whistle, the 32-year-old’s domestic achievements were recognised with Liverpool legend Ian Rush handing over the awards for the Premier League Golden Boot – a record-equalling fourth such accolade for Salah – and the Premier League Playmaker for most assists this season with 18.
And his tally of 47 goal involvements over a Premier League campaign made him only the third player after Andy Cole and Alan Shearer to achieve such a feat. Cole and Shearer, though, needed a 42-game season. Salah did it in 38.
There were further landmarks for Salah, such as becoming the first forward since Kenny Dalglish in 1982/83 to start every game of a title-winning season for Liverpool.
But the real prize was the one the forward had promised the Reds, under new boss Arne Slot, would make a priority. And nobody, not even the most dedicated Liverpool fan, could have imagined the title would be won in such emphatic fashion, 10 points clear of nearest challengers Arsenal.
Celebrate Liverpool's Premier League trophy lift and iconic parade with perfect souvenir
This Liverpool ECHO special edition looks back at a remarkable season, but is packed full of images from both the trophy lift at Anfield and the parade through the streets of the city.
There are features, reaction from players and staff, analysis of how the title was won as well as player ratings and a focus on the boss himself - Arne!
Click the link here to buy online and have it delivered directly to your door, or you can purchase it in participating supermarkets, high street retailers, and independent newsagents from May 29, 2025. Online postage and packaging costs apply.
And make sure you buy your bumper edition of the ECHO on Monday, May 26 and Tuesday, May 27. You can also buy them online here. Postage and package costs apply.
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You can also buy our 48-page keepsake from when Liverpool confirmed the title with victory over Spurs here!
And you can also order a copy of the Monday, April 28 Liverpool ECHO celebrating Liverpool's triumph direct to your home on our online store.
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Also available is the Liverpool FC CHAMP20NS: Premier League winners 24/25, with a double sided poster.
Pre-order here: https://reachsportshop.com/special_edition/liverpool-fc-champ20ns-premier-league-winners-24-25/
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How Salah, like his colleagues, has delivered, and all while having to negotiate the speculation over his future that was finally ended with the signing of a new two-year deal last month.
“Hand it over Manchester” was the booming refrain from the Anfield crowd as the clock ticked down towards additional time, a period during which the home support, as had happened a month earlier against Tottenham Hotspur, decided the time had come to truly embrace the occasion.
All that was left was for Virgil van Dijk to finally get his hands on the Premier League trophy and thrust the shimmering silverware into the Anfield sky amid a blaze of fireworks and red tickertape.
A moment 35 years in the making – and one many feared would never happen – has now been realised, Liverpool crowned champions in front of their adoring fanbase.
Enjoy the party, folks. This has been a campaign worth celebrating.