While they are not thrilled as a family that has Manchester United in their blood, former England cricket captain Mike Atherton on Friday conceded that Liverpool thoroughly deserved to win the English Premier League title and they are a very good team.
On Thursday night, Liverpool were confirmed as champions after Manchester City lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, meaning they cannot mathematically be caught in the table.
It is Liverpool’s 19th title and they’ve done so with seven games to spare in the campaign.
“I am a United fan as you probably know, my father played for Manchester United so United is in our blood,” Atherton said on Sony Network for their show Pit Stop on their Facebook page.
“I have to say it’s a fantastic Liverpool team. They are a seriously good team, fully deserved to win it. But I can’t say we were thrilled in the Atherton household,” said the 52-year old, laughing.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he is over the moon as his side brought an end to a 30-year-old wait for a Premier League title.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, the club’s official website, Klopp revealed how he was unable to put his emotions in words.
“I am completely overwhelmed; I don’t know, it’s a mix of everything — I am relieved, I am happy, I am proud. I couldn’t be more proud of the boys. How we watched the game tonight together, we knew it could happen, it could not happen, we didn’t know,” he said.
Revitalised under the German, Liverpool are now champions of England, Europe and the world, having already won the 2019 UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Anfield club enjoyed an impressive win themselves on Wednesday night in their first home game since the league’s COVID-19-enforced hiatus, sweeping aside Crystal Palace 4-0.