“I’m not a clown,” a beaming Jurgen Klopp told the over-eager cameraman who was urging him to deliver a flurry of his trademark fist pumps in front of the jubilant Kop.



Instead the Liverpool boss applauded his adoring public, raised a clenched fist and repeatedly patted the liver bird on his chest before jogging over to the touchline to embrace Andy Robertson.



The noise was deafening as Anfield paid homage to the genius who is making their dreams come true. The stirring rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone shortly before the final whistle was laced with pride.



This was a statement victory. The magnitude of the outcome was writ large on the faces of players and managers alike.



As Pep Guardiola held his head in his hands, Manchester City’s stars remonstrated with the officials. Forget talk about VAR and any burning sense of injustice. That wasn’t the story here. The real tale is that this was the day when Liverpool...