Liverpool title celebrations LIVE: Reaction and updates as Champions lift Premier League trophy at Anfield

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace LIVE

• Liverpool set to celebrate title triumph against Crystal Palace | Live on Sky Sports with kick off at 4pm
• Arne Slot's side will finally lift trophy after last fixture at Anfield
• Visitors are also basking in FA Cup glory as successful season concludes
• Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones, Salah, Diaz, Gakpo.
• Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroiz, Lerma, Mitchell, Kamada, Hughes, Sarr, Eze, Mateta.
• '9 GOAL! Sarr spoils Anfield celebrations with early goal for visitors [LIV 0-1 CRY]
• '68 RED CARD! Gravenberch sent off as Liverpool's season ends on sour note [LIV 0-1 CRY]
• '75 HITS THE POST! Jota hits the woodwork as Liverpool continue to press [LIV 0-1 CRY]
• '85 GOAL! Salah secures goal involvement record with late equaliser [LIV 1-1 CRY]

Celebrations continue at Anfield

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Celebrations continue at Anfield

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images/Getty Images For Th)

(Getty Images/Getty Images For Th)

(Getty Images)

'I love what Liverpool stands for' - Van Dijk

Van Dijk is asked on Sky Sports how he thought the fans would take to him when he first joined the club.

“It's difficult to say if I think back. I chose this club because I thought that it could happen. I love this club, I love the fans, I love what Liverpool stands for. I'm really happy that I extended for two years and the love doesn't go unnoticed so we keep going.”

Slot 'fantastic' - Hogan

Hogan continues on Sky Sports, speaking about Slot’s astonishing start to life as Liverpool manager. “We had the benefit of time, in one sense. Jurgen Klopp made his decision last January, and that allowed a bit of a reset in a sense.

“Then Michael Edwards coming in and FSG Football then hiring Richard Hughes, then we had time to go through a proper process to find the right person.

“Obviously, you never know until they come in and take the role but he's been fantastic.

“He's taken a very strong squad and built on what was already there, and obviously they were just relentless this year. It's been fantastic.”

On new signings, he says, “When we have something to say, we'll say it. Hopefully we'll have things to say, but until then we won't be giving anything away.”

'Incredibly proud' - CEO Billy Hogan

Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan gets in on the action. “Winning number 20 is so important, it's why we do this,” he says. “From everyone at the club we're incredibly proud of the squad, Richard [Hughes], Arne [Slot] and everyone."

'I will remember it all my life' - Gravenberch

“I think you can see it's really amazing,” Ryan Gravenberch tells BBC Radio 5 Live. The Dutchman was sent off in the second half and will miss Liverpool’s first top-flight game next season, but doesn’t seem particularly bothered, which feels fair enough.

“I think this will be one of the best days in my life. Everyone is really happy. It is beautiful to see.

“I will remember it all my life. We never take this for granted. I am really happy I can be in this moment.

“We grew into the season. From the start we gave everything and now is the day to celebrate it.”

'It's the best day of my life' - Alexander-Arnold

“From six years old to now, 20 years is a long time,” the right-back continues.

“I've loved every single minute of it, the academy to the first team, it's been an honour and a privilege.

“It's all I've ever known, it's changed, I'll remember these moments for the rest of my life. It's the best day of my life and a special achievement for me and the club.”

(Getty Images/Getty Images For Th)

'There wasn't a day I didn't think of the team' - Alexander-Arnold

"I didn't know what to expect, stepping out at Anfield, after what had happened a few weeks ago,” Alexander-Arnold says.

“I wanted to play for the club one more time, he trusted me to go out there, the reception means more than anything for me, I've played hundreds of games, but I never felt more loved and cared for than today.

“I hope one day, the fans and supporters will be able to recognise the hard work I've done for the team, there wasn't a day I didn't think of the team.”

Alexander-Arnold showed 'why it's such a pity' he'll leave - Slot

Slot has more to say on departing star Alexander-Arnold: “He's leaving such a great club and he knows, he feels it. It's not only a club he leaves, he's been here for 20 years and knows everyone.

“It's normal after a few years to miss it, let alone after 20. Let alone if it's Liverpool.

“He's shown today, the fans showed a great reaction to him, but the quality he had today is why it's such a pity he's going to leave.”

'We need to be better next season' - Slot

“It would be weird to play completely differently next season but you always have to try to be better,” Slot continues.

"There's a few things in our game we can improve with these players, and if there's a possibility of strengthening with players you bring in too.

"We need to be better next season, the competition will be better next season as well."

Beating Man Utd helped Slot dream of winning league

"Thinking we'd be part of the title race started early in the season, maybe after the Man Utd win (on September 1),” the manager tells Sky Sports.

"Before that, we played good teams but Man Utd was extra special. We expected them to be top six, so to beat them 3-0 at their stadium made me realise we could compete for the league.

"Maybe after Man City away (on February 23) was a moment where I felt it would be very hard for other teams to end above us."

Celebrations continue

The emotional scenes continue at Anfield as the players’ wives, girlfriends, children and parents head onto the pitch to celebrate with them.

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'It never stops' - Slot

On planning for the next season, Slot says, “It never stops. Even during the season you're looking to the next season, but of course Richard [Hughes], the sporting director is more focused on the long-term than me.

“He keeps me involved all the time, and as you can expect, the targets we have now, they didn't come up last week. We were looking at them for a long time.”

Slot on Alexander-Arnold

“It was always the plan to give him some playing time,” Slot says of Alexander-Arnold on Sky Sports.

“It was a good moment for him to impact the game for 45 minutes, he deserved to be on the pitch, one more time on the pitch at Anfield. The reaction from the fans was, as expected, outstanding.” Lovely words.

Premier League champions 2024-25

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(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Celebrations at Anfield

A beautiful rendition of You Never Walk Alone rings out as the players, staff and manager all link arms to serenade and be serenaded. Van Dijk has tears in his eyes. Alexander-Arnold sits down on the pitch to take it all in.

'Incredible' - Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk adds, “The moment we were confirmed champions against Spurs, it felt like four months ago.

“It was very emotional, a very special day for my mum, wife and kids. It's incredible and no-one can take this one away from us.”

'You can see how much it means' - Mo Salah

Salah and van Dijk take a break from celebrating to speak to SKy Sports. The Golden Boot winner says, “It's incredible. We didn't have a chance to do it in front of the Kop last time.

“Last time it was in the pandemic, which wasn't a great feeling but still a Premier League.

“To win the second one with the fans at Anfield, first the Spurs game and now today - you can see how much it means.”

Liverpool are the Premier League champions

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

Liverpool are the Premier League champions

This is some afternoon for the Liverpool players, a world away from their previous title during the pandemic. Red smoke fills the air and the raucous cheering continues as the players take turns to lift the trophy and show the Kop.

Liverpool are the Premier League champions

And Anfield erupts as Van Dijk lifts the trophy!

Alexander-Arnold cheered

And there’s a roar of applause for Alexander-Arnold as he walks out, slapping and kissing the LFC crest.

He’s followed out by Mo Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk, who prepares to lift the trophy.

Trophy presentation

Huge cheers ring out as Arne Slot and the players walk on one by one to collect their medals.

Alexander-Arnold is near the back of the queue.

Mo Salah collects his awards

(Getty Images/Getty Images For Th)

(Getty Images/Getty Images For Th)

Out comes the trophy

Mark and Jo McVeigh, whose son Owen passed away with leukaemia in 2015, carry the trophy onto the pitch. The couple set up a foundation in Owen’s memory, and are warmly applauded by the crowd.

The Liverpool backroom staff are all on the pitch too.

Now the players and Slot come out for the presentation.

The party begins

Beers have been cracked open in the Liverpool dressing room and ‘Freed from Desire’ is blaring, as you’d expect. Only a few minutes to go until the trophy presentation.

Jordan Henderson is in the crowd too along with Klopp.

Salah accepts double award

“I want to thank you and the staff as well for everything you’ve done this season. It’s been an amazing season,” Slot says in his post-match dressing room team talk.

Mo Salah is presented with the Golden Boot on the pitch for his 29 goals, as well as the Playmaker of the Season for his 18 top-flight assists.

Jubilation at Anfield

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(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

FULL-TIME: Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace

Hugs all round, including a very touching moment as both Salah and Slot warmly embrace assistant referee Derek Eaton, who has just officiated his final game.

The Liverpool players troop off the pitch to the sounds of a raucous Mo Salah chant, before they make their way back out shortly.

FULL-TIME: Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace

90+5 mins: Van Dijk picks up a late booking and that’s the end!

The party begins in earnest now. Alexander-Arnold looks very emotional as he hugs all his teammates.

Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace

90+4 mins: The fireworks are going off already.

Nketiah forces Alisson to save! Now Liverpool attack again but Salah’s attempt rolls harmlessly wide.

Matheus Franca, who’s on for Esse - he must have injured himself, having only been on the pitch for about 10 minutes - has a go himself but can’t make anything of it.

Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace

90 mins: Robertson is replaced by Elliott.

Five minutes added on at Anfield. It sounds like the celebrations are already bgeinning in the stands.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace

85 mins: Golden Boot and goal involvement record secured! Jota wins the ball before Nunez lashes in a cross from the right. Gakpo leaps to it on the left side of the box and knocks it down to Salah in the centre. The Egyptian pokes a toe to it - it looks like it might take a deflection - and it’s into the back of the net.

29 goals, 18 assists, 47 Premier League goal involvements.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

79 mins: Liverpool have looked more threatening despite having only 10 men.

Hughes is off for Esse.

HITS THE POST! Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

75 mins: Palace threaten on the break again as Jones is robbed, but it’s snuffed out quickly.

Now Jota hits the woodwork! Robertson floats a ball into Gakpo, whose first touch is poor so he has no choice but to pass out to Jota. He slams it onto the post and Palace clear!

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

73 mins: More attacking by Liverpool but they’re yet to have anything come of it. They’re up to 24 crosses and counting but just four successful.

Now Jota darts down the right but is blocked by Lacroix... for another Liverpool corner. Alexander-Arnold takes and Lerma clears.

RED CARD! Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

68 mins: Well! This is not the final game Liverpool wanted!

Gravenberch races back and puts in a hefty challenge on Kamada. He’s deemed to be the last man and it’s a straight red! He was already on a yellow but doesn’t even get a second, and will miss the first game of next season as a result.

Luis Diaz is the man sacrificed and Endo comes on for the last 20 minutes or so.

SAVE! Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

66 mins: Big save by Henderson again! Alexander-Arnold floats a fabulous long ball into Nunez, who sprints forward, one-on-one with the keeper, but Henderson denies him at close range, the pair almost getting tangled.

Moment of quality for Alexander-Arnold there.

Now Palace come again and Alisson is forced into two quick saves of his own, from Sarr and Devenny at close range.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

64 mins: Jones slides a pass forward but it’s deflected sharply into the path of Salah, who just doesn’t have a chance to react and shoot before it rolls past him. Jurgen Klopp covers his face in the stands.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

62 mins: Gravenberch goes into the book, it looks like for simulation as he launches himself onto the turf in the box.

Changes by the Dutchman: Nunez comes on for Szoboszlai, while Jota is on for Konate. Rather an attacking change.

Changes for Palace too: Eze is off for Devenny and Mateta replaced by Nketiah.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

59 mins: Liverpool are looking better in this half, but are yet to really trouble Henderson. Now Alexander-Arnold slices a lovely pass forward to Salah but the Egyptian is beaten to it.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

54 mins: Mateta cuts in after Gravenberch is dispossessed and takes a shot from near the edge of the box, but it’s straight at Alisson.

Another Liverpool free-kick but Alexander-Arnold’s delivery isn’t met by anyone at the back post.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

51 mins: Liverpool press again, bit more urgency to them now. Salah darts into space near the byline and beats Mitchell, cutting it back for Szoboszlai, who curls it goalward - but Mateta makes the block.

Now the hosts build again, Salah cuts in with his left foot but it’s deflected wide! He shouts for handball on Lacroix but the defender keeps it tight to his body and it would be harsh to penalise for that. VAR opt not to and van Dijk isn’t happy.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

47 mins: Alexander-Arnold win sa free-kick early doors in this half, with the local boy to take in his final game for his boyhood club. His delivery is lobbed over all his teammates’ heads and rolls harmlessly out of play.

SECOND HALF: Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

Alexander-Arnold is coming on at half-time for Conor Bradley, to a smattering of applause.

Here we go again, the final 45 minutes of Premier League football this season.

HALF-TIME: Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

45+1 mins: One minute added on in this half. Liverpool build again, Salah looks for Szoboszlai, but is foiled by some dogged defending.

And that’s it, a rather muted half for the Premier League champions. Palace lead courtesy of Ismaila Sarr’s ninth-minute strike.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

41 mins: Gravenberch concedes a free-kick, taken fairly centrally by Eze. It comes to naught but Palace recycle, Hughes knocking it down towards Mateta, but the ball bounces kindly into Alisson’s gloves.

SAVE! Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

37 mins: What a save by Henderson! Salah plays a sloppy pass initially but rescues it, curling forward to Diaz in the box. He shoots with his weaker foot but Henderson launches himself to it and just gets a foot to it, avoiding the ball going between his legs.

Diaz kicks the upright in frustration, probably regretting that immediately.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

34 mins: Palace are looking a lot sharper in the final third. Eze plays a smart pass to Mateta; the Frenchman is just yards from goal but his shot clatters the bar and over. Offside anyway.

CLOSE! Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

30 mins: Diaz again: Gravenberch crosses in and Diaz throws himself in between two defenders but it’s a difficult shot and his header is over the bar.

Plenty of crosses coming from both channels for Liverpool.

Now Palace counter and Mateta has it in the back of the net but the flag is up!

CLOSE! Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

27 mins: Close for Diaz! Liverpool build and Szoboszlai plays a great reverse pass to the Colombia international on the edge of the area. Diaz tries to round his defender and lets fly a shot, but there’s not enough bend on it to curl in at the back post. He grimaces - that was a great chance with Henderson beaten.

Alexander-Arnold is warming up on the sidelines to a warm reception.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

24 mins: Robertson crosses in again but Mitchell is there to divert the danger. Now Salah tries to thread a pass to Bradley near the byline but the right-back gets in a tangle with Henderson, the keeper taking his time to get play started again.

Palace counter again, but Bradley heads it behind. This game certainly has an end-of-term feel to it. There are balloons all over the pitch and there’s a bit of a lull while the players stamp on them.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

19 mins: Liverpool are showing a bit more intent now. Robertson curls in a cross to Salah at the back post but the Egyptian can’t control it.

Now Bradley, looking to atone for that early mistake crosses in from the right but it’s cut out - and Liverpool come again. The right-back can’t quite get it to anyone and Lerma knocks it behind for a corner for the hosts. Hughes clears it.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

15 mins: The Kop don’t look too bothered by going 1-0 down, though. The party continues unabated.

Liverpool are pressing and seeing plenty of possession. Dean Henderson is called to make a save, but isn’t particularly troubled.

Van Dijk launches a long ball in towards Robertson down the left channel but Munoz gets there first to head away.

GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

9 mins: Well! Liverpool fall asleep and Palace cut them open. Bradley plays a loose pass from the left side of Liverpool’s box in the vague direction of Salah but it’s intercepted by Mitchell.

He threads it through to Sarr, who opens himself up and slots past a diving Alisson in the far corner.

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

7 mins: Liverpool are looking the more threatening so far, although the pace is fairly sedate.

Jones looks to thread it through to Salah in the box but Lerma is wise to the danger and cuts out a lovely pass.

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

4 mins: Gakpo swings a cross in Salah’s direction near the back post, but Mitchell heads it behind for a Liverpool corner. Hughes heads it away and Eze counters for the visitors, sprinting down the centre, but it’s hooked clear by a Red shirt.

Alexander-Arnold was cheered when his name was read out earlier, so might he feature later on?

A VIP guest...

Jurgen Klopp is in attendance today.

(Getty Images/Getty Images For Th)

KICK-OFF: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

You Never Walk Alone rings out and Salah and van Dijk are among the players to look emotional.

And we’re underway, after the players take the knee against discrimination.

Party time at Anfield

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Kick-off approaching

Almost time at Anfield... and it’s absolutely bouncing already. The players are out on the pitch, both teams giving the other a guard of honour after their two brilliant seasons in their own way.

Team news

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones, Salah, Diaz, Gakpo.

Substitutes: Kelleher, Gomez, Endo, Nunez, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroiz, Lerma, Mitchell, Kamada, Hughes, Sarr, Eze, Mateta.

Substitutes: Turner, Ward, Nketiah, Franca, Esse, Devenny, Kporha.

Why Alexis Mac Allister isn't in Liverpool's XI to face Crystal Palace

Alexis Mac Allister has been left out of Liverpool’s squad to play the final game of the Premier League season against Crystal Palace.

The Argentine midfielder has not even made the bench for Arne Slot’s side, with Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones starting in midfield at Anfield.

Mac Allister missed the Reds’ trip to Brighton, with the Seagulls storming back to claim all three points, and his absence here is planned after recently struggling with injury.

Slot said: “Alexis will not play for us this season anymore. He needs rest at this moment in time to recover completely and to be ready for the start of next season, but it will be no problem for him to be back next season.”

Team news - Crystal Palace

Oliver Glasner makes four changes too: Tyrick Mitchell, Daichi Kamada, Ebere Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta are all back in the starting line-up.

Joel Ward, Romain Esse and Eddie Nketiah drop to the bench – Ward in his final game as a Palace player - while loanee Ben Chilwell is out with illness.

Team news - Liverpool

Arne Slot makes four changes to his title-winning side today, with Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz and Curtis Jones all starting.

Alexander-Arnold is on the bench. He was a substitute against Arsenal but was booed by some sections of the Anfield crowd; will he feature at all today?

Line-ups - Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroiz, Lerma, Mitchell, Kamada, Hughes, Sarr, Eze, Mateta.

Substitutes: Turner, Ward, Nketiah, Franca, Esse, Devenny, Kporha.

Line-ups - Liverpool

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones, Salah, Diaz, Gakpo.

Substitutes: Kelleher, Gomez, Endo, Nunez, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah.

Cody Gakpo: ‘If I want to keep growing in football, I’ve got to keep my mind open’

Liverpool’s place as champions was confirmed long ago, but today is the day that Arne Slot’s side finally get their hands on the Premier League trophy. Ahead of the title toting, Jamie Braidwood sat down with Cody Gakpo on a balcony overlooking Hyde Park about finding his home on Merseyside, faith and much, much more:

Champions League qualification permutations: What each team needs on the final day

If the 2024-25 season won’t exactly stand out in history, it will finish with one genuinely unique element. There have never been so many clubs going for Champions League qualification on the final day. It has admittedly become a bit more than “the battle for fifth”, as it has occasionally been derided. Instead, five clubs are going for three places, with two of them – Nottingham Forest and Chelsea – directly facing off.

Liverpool and Crystal Palace can sit back and relax, knowing their European spots are safe - but here are all the other permutations you need to know:

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace LIVE

The moment has finally arrived for Liverpool, a trophy to lift in front of the home fans at Anfield on the last day of the Premier League season. Arne Slot’s side have been able to enjoy these final few weeks having secured the title with several games to spare, and Virgil van Dijk will hoist the prize aloft later on what should be a day of celebration at Anfield.

Crystal Palace - themselves still giddy after FA Cup glory - are the visitors. Kick off is at 4pm BST.

Liverpool are set to lift the Premier League trophy (Getty Images)