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Liverpool’s Last Game Captures a Season of Glory and Change

The final game of the season at Anfield didn’t need drama. Liverpool had already done the business. The 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace was little more than a backdrop for celebration — title number 20, lifted in front of a packed, euphoric Kop.

On The Post Match Raw Podcast from Anfield Index, Trev Downey set the tone: “Just seeing the lads do that, seeing the trophy, seeing what it meant… the feel-good factor inside the stadium was immense.” After all the noise, the tension, the pursuit, this was Liverpool’s moment to bask.

Van Dijk and Alisson Reflect Elite Standards

While the last game of the season might have been an afterthought on the pitch, there was no overlooking the leaders on it. Virgil van Dijk was hailed by Dave Hendrick as “the best the league has seen” and “grade-A elite”, citing his dominance across multiple seasons and comparing his legacy favourably to the greatest defenders in football history. “He should have won the Ballon d’Or,” Hendrick insisted, referencing the 2018–19 campaign.

Karl Matchett agreed, saying, “For the vast majority of the time, there’s nobody can touch him.”

But the iconic image of van Dijk lifting the trophy beside Alan Hansen wasn’t just symbolic — it was generational. “That’s him looking at someone that he looks up to,” said Hendrick. “He’s sharing the moment with that man.”

As for Alisson, the praise was just as emphatic. “Easily the best in the world in my opinion. Like, comfortably,” said Matchett. His calm, his consistency, and his psychological edge were key. “He has created his own myth as much as his ability is amazing,” added Downey.

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Salah Stands Alone in the Numbers

No Liverpool season would be complete without Mo Salah rewriting records. His 29 goals and 18 assists didn’t just lead the club — they made him the most productive forward in the Premier League this season. As Dave Hendrick pointed out, Salah ends the campaign with “47 goal contributions,” matching the Shearer and Cole record in a shorter season.

Trev Downey cut to the heart of it: “This guy is the kind of lad you build empires around.”

Matchett summed it up with stark clarity: “For all-round ability to do everything and destroy every type of defence, Salah this year I think is top of everybody.”

His leadership, too, hasn’t gone unnoticed. “His leadership has never been more pronounced,” said Downey, insisting that Salah should wear the armband in van Dijk’s absence.

Looking Beyond Trent’s Goodbye

Of course, the narrative looming large was Trent Alexander-Arnold’s farewell. The panel didn’t shy from it. “It’s kind of been post-Trent Liverpool for a while,” Hendrick said, lamenting a dip in standards and commitment. “We’ve had to make concessions constantly for him.”

Yet there was no malice in the goodbye. “He’s redefined the football role,” Hendrick conceded. “He has been incredible.” Even Karl Matchett admitted, “We’re not going to anymore… but by no means does that mean it won’t be as good.”

The tears from Trent during the celebrations told a story his polished media exit couldn’t. “That moment where he broke down — that was what I wanted to see months ago,” said Hendrick.

History and Heritage Still Drive Liverpool Forward

In a week that marked 20 years since Istanbul, Liverpool lifted their 20th league title. “This club is just on a different level,” said Downey. The numbers matter — 20 titles now, a litany of managerial success. But it’s the stories behind them that fuel belief.

From Hansen to van Dijk, from Clemence to Alisson, and from Kenny to Salah, this Liverpool team is more than just a squad — it’s part of something much greater.

As the season ends, Downey concluded with a truth that echoes through the decades: “This club was built as an institution to win.”

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