Liverpool were easily the best team in the Premier League during the 2024-2025 season, thanks partially to Manchester City’s collapse but mainly due to the manner in which Arne Slot arrived at a club that Jürgen Klopp had left in rude health.
The Dutchman knew how to make minor tweaks in order to get the best out of his players, whilst missing out on Martín Zubimendi turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it meant that the Reds discovered just how good Ryan Gravenberch was as a holding midfielder.
The title win meant a parade, with close to a million people turning up for it.
Streets Lined with Red
It was reasonably clear months ago to all those who don’t believe in superstitious nonsense or the ability to ‘jinx’ anything that Liverpool were going to win the Premier League title. The result of that was that supporters from all around the world were able to make plans to be in the city for the open top bus parade that always looked likely to take place on the 26th of May, the day after the final game of the season. Unlike previous parades, which have taken place the day after major cup finals and therefore didn’t have may of the people at them who had attended the finals themselves, this one was different.
— Alison McGovern (@allymcgovern.bsky.social) May 26, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Even the fact that the last game of the 2024-2025 campaign was played at Anfield meant that Liverpool supporters didn’t have to travel back from some random place like Southampton or Bournemouth, instead already being in the city. Add in the fact that Radio 1’s Big Weekend was taking place in Liverpool over the weekend and you can see why it was that so many people were able to turn out and celebrate the Reds in style. The streets of the city were lined with Red, whilst smoke of the same colour filled the air as the bus made its way along its 15 kilometre journey.
An Out-Pouring of Emotion
This wasn’t just the parade for the 2024-2025 title. Obviously it was on the surface, but you don’t need to dig too deep before you realise that it was also a celebration of the 2019-2020 Premier League win, which supporters didn’t get to celebrate on account of the fact that the country was in lockdown in order to protect people from the global health crisis at the time. It is why it felt so fitting to have the likes of Jürgen Klopp inside Anfield on the final day of the season, to say nothing of the fact that he attended the parade himself and was filled with joy to see the players he worked with getting to celebrate.
@_046783 klopp celebration liverpool parade ❤️#liverpool #fyp #viralllllll #ynwa #reds ♬ suara asli – Akbarbaguss
For plenty of supporters, this wasn’t just about the two league titles, but about what they lost along the way. Far too many people have lost loved ones between the end of the last title-winning season and the moment that Virgil van Dijk hoisted the trophy above his head, which is what will have made this a difficult experience for some. The mood for the vast majority of the day was one of it being one big party, though, and the air was filled with songs, smoke from pyro and the feeling of love and appreciation for a squad and management team that gave us all what we’ve all been craving for so long.
A Tragic End
As the bus completed its journey, heading past the Liver Building and the rest of the Three Graces on its way to Blundell Street, tens of thousands of supporters who had lined the Strand began to make their way home. The feeling was still one of jubilation and happiness, with the songs honouring the Liverpool players still ringing out. What no one could’ve imagined was the tragedy of what was to follow, when a 53-year-old man followed an ambulance through the cordon that was there to keep people safe from traffic as everyone headed for the trains and buses that would take them home.
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The reasoning behind what happened next is still unclear, although it is fair to say that it was the act of someone mentally unstable. He ploughed his car into countless people, including children, until he was eventually drawn to a stop. At the moment the car could go no further, there were four people trapped underneath it.
Dozens of his victims had to go to hospital, with 11 remaining in there the following day, according to Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims. The driver was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving while unfit through drugs.
It was a terrible end to what should’ve been a joyous day.
