The Liverpool supporters were unwilling to return home. Thousands of fans remained long after the final whistle blew on Sunday to announce their team's 1-0 victory over Leicester City, having gathered to cheer on the squad that may win the Premier League in a few days.
Despite Liverpool's lackluster performance, the people who had traveled from Merseyside to the East Midlands were completely unconcerned.
Why should they, anyway? With only one victory needed to mathematically seal the Reds' crown, Liverpool supporters are ready to savor every moment of this incredible season after being denied the opportunity to enjoy the team's most recent title victory in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Slot and his players will claim more work is needed. Leicester's tenacious performance on Sunday, despite relegation, shows the caliber required to win a Premier League match.
But Liverpool is now unquestionably on the verge of something extraordinary, and the picture of Mohamed Salah raising one finger to the traveling fans while he reveled in their postgame cheers demonstrates that the players are aware that they are on the verge of creating history.
Streets near the stadium were packed with sellers offering "Liverpool Champions 2024-25" scarves before kickoff. Despite Arsenal's 4-0 win over Ipswich ruling out Liverpool's title chance against Leicester, away fans loudly sang "We're gonna win the league" pre-match at King Power Stadium.
Salah nearly gave Liverpool a perfect start when his shot hit both posts inside the penalty area. Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen made several saves, and Salah missed a close-range chance from Tsimikas' cross, as Liverpool wasted golden opportunities in the first half.
Leicester had chances too, with Ndidi hitting the post. After halftime, Jota and Díaz missed good opportunities, while Coady's disallowed goal—due to Daka's foul on Alisson—added to the sense it wasn't Liverpool's day.
Yet, Liverpool's ability to come up with a means to win has been one of their most outstanding qualities this season. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who came on from the bench five minutes later, provided the game-winning goal this time.
His game-winning move against Leicester showed Alexander-Arnold still has more to write in his Liverpool story, even if this summer ends his Anfield tenure. Regardless of his next steps, his shirtless celebration sliding across the turf will remain a highlight of this historic campaign.
The headline from Liverpool's point of view is that they are now only three points away from making basketball history. If Arsenal avoids losing to Crystal Palace in the middle of the week, Slot's team will have the opportunity to win the club's 20th league title when Tottenham Hotspur visits Anfield on Sunday.
The festivities have undoubtedly already begun for the Liverpool supporters present on Sunday. Slot and his team may have joined the celebration at this time next week.