Red Redemption

After 30 painful years, Liverpool's redemption has been finally realised as the Premier League trophy returns to its rightful Anfield home.

On a warm Thursday evening in late June, Liverpool fans across the world leapt to their feet in ardent celebration, before falling back into their seats and breathing a collective sigh of relief. From between fingers and behind sofas, they had watched as referee Stuart Atwell brought his whistle to his lips and an end to Thursday night's decisive fixture between Chelsea and second-place Manchester City.

Chelsea had won, and in doing so, had also concluded the Liverpool's painstaking wait for their 19th English league title. Now, that's not to say the Merseyside club hadn't played their part in bringing about the title-winning scenario. The Reds' 4-0 demolition of Crystal Palace had preceded the fixture, handing the London side with an opportunity to make amends for their infamous Anfield victory of 2014, which cost Liverpool the title that year.

On the night of Liverpool's greatest domestic triumph in decades, the media were quick to cut to club-legends Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness and Phil Thompson for their thoughts on their beloved side's first league title since 1990.

However, it was the comments of Liverpool legend John Barnes the previous evening, following Liverpool's victory at Anfield, that so epitomised the source of the club's success under Jurgen Klopp.

When recalling how his Liverpool side of the eighties shared characteristics of this current one, the former Red addressed the club's work ethic, a topic already so extensively covered under Klopp's tenure.

"You don't play the score, you play the game", he said in his Sky Sports interview.

"You make the pass, you make that last-ditch tackle because that's just what you do".

Klopp seconded Barnes's commendations, as he spoke of his enjoyment at watching his side's pressing game and enthusiasm despite playing behind closed doors.

Though, from the scenes I was fortunate enough to observe on that Thursday night, it's clear Klopp's energy is not limited to the confines of his squad.

As I headed out onto the streets of Liverpool on the evening of the club's unofficial coronation, Klopp's passion was there, plain to see. Infectious.

Not only has the German lead his Liverpool to glory on a national, international and world basis, but he has also inspired the people at the city's very epicentre, right here in Liverpool.

He has filled us with a hope and belief, unknown to a generation of fans.

The club's next ambition likely echoes that of its fans - to topple Manchester United and overcome their record of 20 league titles, something wholly possible should our form continue in its current vein.

After all, if there's one man who can spearhead such a quest for supremacy, it's Klopp.

As Liverpool fans, we have suffered through decades of mediocrity. But what we're experiencing now, surely serves as redemption for all of that. A redemption made possible by a manager and side who so encapsulate what it means to don the red-shirt of Liverpool Football Club.