Liverpool players were celebrating wildly on the touchline when Krawietz suddenly rushed over with the latest news.
Commentators across the live broadcasts were updating the situation at the same time.
"We've just received breaking news. In the other Premier League Matchday 32 game being played simultaneously, Manchester City have suffered a last-minute blow away at Tottenham Hotspur!"
"It's the 85th minute. Harry Kane has scored with a header that could well decide the match. Tottenham currently lead Manchester City 1–0!"
"If the match finishes with this scoreline, the gap between Manchester City and Liverpool will widen to four points!"
"It really looks like Liverpool can almost reach out and touch the Premier League trophy. They already have one foot in the title race's finishing line!"
Jon Champion was doing his best to suppress his excitement.
"Since the old First Division was restructured into the Premier League, Liverpool have gone 28 full years without winning the league title."
"Despite their glorious history in the First Division era, in the modern era of English football Liverpool have yet to claim the Premier League crown, even though they have won the Champions League."
Inside the Sky Sports commentary studio, Gerrard was also nervously watching the other match.
If the gap widened to four points, Liverpool would gain far more margin for error in the remaining six league games.
When the Liverpool players on the pitch heard the news, their fighting spirit surged even higher.
Everyone dropped deep to defend, determined not to give Manchester United even the slightest chance to score.
Manchester United continued with long balls and constant crosses from the wings.
Milner and Leo Lin both dropped into the penalty area. Henderson guarded the edge of the box to intercept second balls. Robertson and Arnold stopped pushing forward. Even Mané and Salah tracked all the way back, practically playing as full-backs.
90th minute.
Manchester United earned a corner.
Almost every Liverpool player was inside the box defending. Only Firmino stayed near the edge of the area, waiting for a chance to counterattack. Even Manchester United's goalkeeper had come forward into the penalty area.
"Manchester United are going all in now. There's almost no time left for them."
"Fellaini is the main danger they need to watch. The man is simply too tall."
"Sánchez takes the corner. It's swung into the middle. And as expected, it's aimed at Fellaini!"
"They go up for the header. Lovren crashes into Fellaini and both players go down!"
"Karius catches the ball and immediately launches a powerful throw to start the counterattack!"
"That throw is huge. Brazilian striker Firmino is sprinting onto it!"
"Smalling is chasing back. Darmian is chasing as well!"
"Firmino gets there first and pushes the ball forward in long strides!"
"He powers past Darmian and bursts out of the double team!"
Anfield had already begun to erupt.
"Firmino is through on an open goal. He shoots!"
"Beautiful!"
"It's in again!"
"Liverpool have sealed the game!"
"Firmino has sealed the game!"
"They've scored another one!"
"With stoppage time included, there's less than a minute left. Meanwhile the match between Manchester City and Tottenham has already ended. Manchester City have lost 1–0 to Tottenham and now trail Liverpool by four points!"
Firmino ripped off his shirt and celebrated in dominant fashion.
Liverpool players sprinted over from behind, jumping onto him as they wrapped him in a massive group hug.
"I knew you could do it!"
"What a finish! What a finish!"
Leo Lin grabbed Firmino's curly hair and rubbed it wildly. The broadcast camera zoomed in on his face twisted with excitement. The Liverpool players were overflowing with fighting spirit.
"Look at this team," Gerrard said with emotion while watching the scene on Sky Sports.
"Football is a sport that perfectly combines teamwork and individual heroism. That's exactly why it has become the world's most popular sport."
"Only a team filled with strong personalities that are tightly connected can truly succeed in football."
"And this Liverpool side clearly has all of that."
"We have the explosive modern attacking weapon. The Mad Four."
"We have the tireless midfield workhorse Henderson who gives everything for the team."
"We have Wijnaldum with incredible control in possession."
"We have the versatile substitute Milner, the multi-role attacker Lallana, and two full-backs with tremendous attacking ability."
"Add to that Lovren and Matip who have both been performing very well recently. This squad is close to perfect."
"Karius did make a mistake earlier, but his long throw created Firmino's goal and helped him redeem himself."
"I absolutely love this team."
Just as Gerrard finished speaking, Carragher suddenly asked quietly from beside him.
"Since Karius has redeemed himself, do you think he can replace the injured Mignolet as Liverpool's new starting goalkeeper?"
Gerrard did not answer directly. He pretended to think for a moment before speaking with a slightly awkward tone.
"Hmm…"
"Well…"
"Right… right…"
"So that's what you're asking…"
"In that case, I hope Mignolet recovers quickly and returns to the team as soon as possible."
In the stands, Mourinho left early and headed toward the dressing room. Amid the loud boos of Liverpool fans throughout the stadium, the Special One's back looked somewhat lonely.
"Even though Mourinho is famous for his outspoken personality, he has earned the respect of many people."
"He is a great manager without question. Leading Porto to a Champions League title is one of the most remarkable achievements in football history."
"Mourinho has succeeded in many places, but this Manchester United team still has many problems that need to be solved. You could say he has already done everything he can."
"Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, Manchester United have changed managers many times. Mourinho has been the most successful one so far."
The final minute quickly passed.
In the 93rd minute, the referee blew the final whistle.
"Full time!"
"Congratulations to Liverpool for winning this Red Derby. A fiercely contested clash filled with intensity, and Liverpool have the final word!"
"On the live Premier League table, Liverpool now lead Manchester City by four points!"
Just as Liverpool fans were celebrating wildly, even better news followed.
Four days later came Premier League Matchday 33.
Liverpool faced Stoke City, while Manchester City faced Brighton.
With De Bruyne injured and Agüero also sidelined, Manchester City struggled badly against the energetic Brighton side and eventually lost 2–0.
At the most critical moment of the title race, Manchester City suffered two consecutive defeats.
Liverpool, meanwhile, rotated their entire squad against Stoke City because they were preparing for the FA Cup semifinal. Klopp chose not to start his regular starters.
The match ended in a 0–0 draw.
However, because Manchester City had lost again, after 33 league matches Liverpool still led City by five points and remained firmly at the top of the Premier League table.
On April 17, Sky Sports published a front-page headline across its platforms, accompanied by a humorous image created by fans.
Liverpool appeared as a red go-kart racing at the front of the track with a big smile.
Behind it was a blue go-kart with a missing wheel, bearing the Manchester City badge.
De Bruyne in the driver's seat and Agüero in the passenger seat were both covering their faces and crying.
Headline:
Manchester City Sink. Liverpool Can Already Touch the Premier League Trophy.
...
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