30-YEAR DREAM’S SOON A REALITY

THERE’S a real chance that by the time I come to write this column next weekend, Liverpool will be champions.

To even utter that sentence now seems almost surreal, especially after I’ve spent the last 30 years as a player – then an ambassador for the club – desperately praying for that trophy to come back to Anfield.

I signed my first contract in 1991, the season after they last won the title.

Every year since then, I have dreamt of the moment that could become a reality within five days.

I came close a few times, but we always found a team better than us. And that’s the way I prefer to look at it – in a positive light.

Not once during my time at Liverpool did I think I failed, that we failed as a team. So much about football is the mental side of things and if you have negative thoughts, you have failure.

I was a realist. At times we could be brilliant, but always found a team better than us – a Manchester United or an Arsenal who were more consistent.

That is what will make the achievement of this current Liverpool team so special.

Because there are opponents who are truly special in one of the best English teams of all time.

Manchester City are one of the greatest sides we’ve ever seen – and this Liverpool team are 22 points ahead of them. That is how you gauge the achievement of Jurgen Klopp (above) and his side.

You could also argue the current side are up there with the best in the club’s history. Possibly even better. Think about that. Those historic teams with incredible names, such as Liddell, then Hunt, Keegan, Dalglish, Souness, Rush and Barnes. Great teams.

That’s what it takes to win the Premier League, that’s how good this side are. And if they do it this week, then every accolade that comes their way is well-deserved.