On Sunday when [Liverpool](https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/) were handed the Premier League trophy, their 20th domestic league title, after the final game of the 2024-25 season, it was one legend handing it off to another as current captain Virgil van Dijk received it from Alan Hansen.
Hansen anchored the Reds’ backline through their 80s pomp. He is for many the club’s greatest ever centre half with eight league titles and three European cups to his name. If one were to construct an all-time Liverpool eleven, Hansen would be in it. And he would almost certainly be in it alongside Van Dijk.
To have him be the one to hand Van Djik the trophy, then, his second league title with the Reds, was a special moment—without even touching on Hansen’s 2024 health scare that saw the Liverpool legend hospitalised. At it turns out, it was also Van Dijk’s idea.
“I was very determined to make sure he was going to be the one who handed the trophy to me,” Van Dijk said afterwards. “I suggested it and am happy it worked out. I’m also happy that Mark and Jo from the Owen McVeigh Foundation, who I’ve worked with quite a lot over the last years, were able to bring the trophy out.
“Alan is one of the greatest centre-backs this club has ever seen. I’d met him before and had a little chat. He was ill last year. I’m glad he’s looking well now. I wanted him to be there. I was glad I got him on the pitch. He deserved that moment in front of the Kop.”
One club legend handing number 20 to another as the Reds officially climbed back up on their perch as the most successful club side in the history of English football. A glorious, memorable moment on a glorious day to end a memorable season for Van Dijk and his Premier League champion Reds.