Premier League tradition to delay Liverpool lifting the Premier League trophy

Liverpool can win their first Premier League title in five years if they earn a point or more against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday with Arne Slot set for success in his first season

Liverpool are on the verge of winning the Premier League and could achieve the success against Tottenham on Sunday. The Reds only have to avoid defeat to be crowned champions at Anfield in Arne Slot’s first season at the club.

Merseyside is set to be in a jubilant mood as Liverpool prepare to claim glory with four matches to spare and in front of a home crowd. Captain Virgil van Dijk will not be able to lay his hands on the Premier League trophy come the weekend however, despite no other team being in contention.

Instead, Liverpool will be forced to wait until the final weekend of the season to lay their hands on the silverware and to raise it to the sky. They may be entitled to a few guards of honour on the way, but the top-flight’s tradition is to present the trophy on the winning team’s final home match of the season.

For the Reds, that comes against Crystal Palace on May 25. The moment will see Liverpool earn success in front of their fans having been denied that opportunity in their last Premier League win in 2020, due to restrictions in place for Covid-19.

Despite being ruled out of contention a while ago, current champions Manchester City may still hold one of two Premier League trophies. Reigning champions are permitted to keep their trophy until three weeks before their final league match of the season at the latest.

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Celebrations on Sunday won’t be tempered by that however. A ’20’ mural has been produced near the stadium and merchandise including flags and scarfs with ‘Champions 20’ written on them were pictured being delivered on Friday morning.

Slot has conceded that undertaking his post-match duties would not be the first thing on his mind. “That means it will take more time for us to go to the media!” he said in his press conference.

But the Dutchman refuses to even consider celebrating before the moment arrives. “It is a big responsibility because we are aware of the fact the last time this club won the league it was Covid so everyone is looking forward to Sunday,” he said.

“But we are aware there is a job still to be done and that is (to win) one point. We are aware and our fans are aware we still need a point, we are definitely still aware within this building.”

“I get these questions and then it comes to your mind, of course,” he added. “But that’s the last thing you think about as a manager at this point of time.

“The only thing I think about is that hopefully all the players are available and to prepare them. I know how hard it was to win against a team that was close to relegation ( Leicester, last weekend). It was hard to get the win over the line.

“I am not getting carried away at all. We’ve faced Tottenham already three times, I know how hard it is to beat them for us. That is where my main focus is on.”

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