It was a release of tension so powerful and palpable that it was undoubtedly felt all the way back down the other end of the East Lancs Road. And probably down in London, too.
When Mohamed Salah tucked the ball into the bottom corner beyond Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to score from the spot and put Liverpool two ahead, the Anfield crowd knew the job had finally been done.
The Kop, while not exactly on tenterhooks, were certainly having their nerves tested as City began to crank up the pressure on the home defence as they sought to equalise Cody Gakpo’s early opener.And the initial celebration of Salah’s goal rolled over into a cacophony of noise in the 80th minute as the strains of “Allez, Allez, Allez” boomed around the stadium.
It was one of those moments where, in truth, you had to be there, a collective realisation that not only were City beaten, but also Liverpool had negotiated yet another sizeable hurdle in this unexpected Premier League title challenge during Arne Slot’s debut campaign in charge.
A few minutes later, a clearly rattled Pep Guardiola could be spotted on the touchline, raising six fingers to the home crowd. If pointing out how many championships he had won while with City, it also highlighted the number of times Liverpool have been crowned European champions in their history.
Beyond doubt, though, is the Manchester side have been the dominant force of the modern era. Which makes their ongoing collapse – this a sixth defeat in seven in all competitions, and a fourth in succession in the Premier League – all that more astonishing.
Liverpool knew they had to take advantage, and from the first whistle tore into an understandably nervy, injury-hit City. Until Salah’s strike, though, there was the niggling feeling that, while only one goal behind, the visitors could get away with another underwhelming performance, such is their quality.
Not this time. As five seasons ago when Liverpool last won the title, a home win against City at this stage of the season opened up a gap that ultimately proved decisive. Back then it was nine points, this time 11. The in-form Arsenal and Chelsea are now the nearest challengers to the Reds, still a yawning nine points adrift.Both, however, will know this is a Liverpool team that is going to take some shifting from the summit. Allez, Allez, Allez indeed.
