Liverpool was awash with red on Monday as thousands of jubilant supporters packed the streets to celebrate the club’s long-awaited Premier League triumph. The Reds took to an open-top bus parade that wound its way through the city, giving fans the chance to share in the glory of Liverpool’s 20th league title.
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After years of near misses and close calls, Liverpool finally secured the crown last month, reigniting the passion of a fanbase desperate for silverware. The parade came just a day after the team lifted the Premier League trophy at Anfield following a 1-1 draw against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace on Sunday, marking a triumphant conclusion to an extraordinary campaign.
The team lifted the Premier League trophy at Anfield following a 1-1 draw against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace on SundayGetty
The atmosphere was electric as the open-top bus carried the players through Liverpool’s iconic streets, with scenes of jubilation and celebration at every turn. Supporters of all ages lined the route, waving scarves, chanting club anthems and singing in unison. The joy was palpable, a testament to the hard work and resilience shown by the squad throughout the season.
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Tom Werner, Liverpool’s chairman, addressed the crowd during the parade and spoke optimistically about the club’s future. He promised a “big summer” ahead, signalling plans to strengthen the squad and maintain the momentum that brought them back to the summit of English football. “We’re going to bring in the players who can help us push even further,” Werner said, raising the hopes of supporters eager for continued success.
Alongside the celebration, safety remained a top priority. Merseyside Police were on high alert, mindful of incidents during previous celebrations when flares caused injuries to fans and children. Last month’s title celebrations saw 50 reports of burns, including injuries to a three-year-old child. In response, the police, Liverpool City Council and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital urged fans to avoid pyrotechnics and protect children from the dangers associated with flares.
Ahead of Monday’s parade, four drones were seized by police, and a temporary restricted airspace was imposed over parts of the route to prevent any aerial disruptions. The restricted zone covered key areas such as Leeds Street, New Quay, Georges Dock Gate, Goree, Strand Street, Wapping and Sefton Street.
Chief Inspector Chris Barnes, the silver commander for the parade’s security, emphasised the importance of safety during the event. “We want everyone who attends to have a safe and enjoyable time. Nobody should have to suffer an injury as a result of the reckless actions of another individual,” he said.
The streets echoed with cheers, songs and applause as the bus made its way through the heart of LiverpoolGetty
Liverpool’s title win marked a significant milestone for the club, ending a league title drought of over a decade and reasserting their status among English football’s elite. The achievement was a collective effort, with the squad’s determination, the manager’s tactical acumen, and the unwavering support of the fans playing vital roles.
The 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday was enough to secure the championship and set the stage for the celebrations that followed. The match itself was a tense affair, but the focus soon shifted to the broader success that Liverpool had earned over the course of the season.
Throughout the parade, the unity between the club and its supporters was unmistakable. The streets echoed with cheers, songs and applause as the bus made its way through the heart of Liverpool. Fans celebrated not only a trophy but the spirit and pride of a city that lives and breathes football.
- YouTubeYouTube/ Liverpool FC
As the parade concluded, anticipation grew for the summer transfer window, with Werner’s promise suggesting that the club will aim to build a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts next season. The message was clear: Liverpool’s ambition is undimmed, and the pursuit of further trophies is already underway.
For now, though, the focus was firmly on celebrating a historic victory. Liverpool’s 20th league title is a landmark achievement, and Monday’s parade provided the perfect opportunity for players and fans alike to revel in a momentous occasion.
Liverpool’s ambition is undimmedGetty
With the city united in celebration and plans for the future taking shape, Liverpool stands ready to continue its journey at the pinnacle of English football.
England goalkeeper Mary Earps has announced her unexpected retirement from international football, just five weeks before the Lionesses begin their UEFA Women's Euro 2025 title defence in Switzerland.
The 32-year-old played a pivotal role in England's triumph at Euro 2022 and helped guide the team to the final of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. However, Earps recently lost her position as first-choice goalkeeper to Chelsea's Hannah Hampton and has decided to step aside ahead of the upcoming tournament.
Earps, who earned 53 senior caps during her international career, made her decision public shortly after being named in the squad for the final international camp before the Euros. She was included for the Women's Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain, but did not train with the squad on Monday and has since left the camp at St George’s Park.
Speaking about her retirement, Earps described it as a “difficult decision”, but said it was the right time to move on and allow younger players the opportunity to grow.
“This has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear the badge and represent my country,” Earps wrote on social media. “I wish I could do it forever, but sadly all good things must come to an end.”
She continued: “There are so many dimensions to this decision, the details of which aren’t important right now. This is a new era and a new England team, and I’m looking forward to watching them this summer. I have no regrets.”
Earps has been a vocal advocate for change in women’s footballGetty Images
England head coach Sarina Wiegman expressed disappointment at Earps' decision, stating she had hoped the experienced goalkeeper would remain part of the squad for the upcoming tournament.
“I had hoped that Mary would play an important role within the squad this summer, so of course I am disappointed,” Wiegman said.
Earps’ retirement follows recent comments from Wiegman in April, where she acknowledged that Hampton was “a little bit ahead” in the competition to be England’s number one. The shift in selection appears to have played a part in Earps' decision to step away from the international stage.
Teammates are understood to have been surprised and disappointed by the timing of her retirement, particularly with the Euros on the horizon.
Earps recently moved from Manchester United to French side Paris Saint-Germain and continues to compete at the highest level in club football.
Throughout her career, Earps has been a vocal advocate for change in women’s football. In 2023, she publicly criticised Nike for not producing replica goalkeeper kits for fans during the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand – a decision she described as “hugely hurtful”.
Her on-field achievements have been widely recognised. She won the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award in both 2022 and 2023 and claimed the Golden Glove at the 2023 World Cup. Her performances earned her the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2023, becoming the first goalkeeper to receive the honour.
Reflecting on her journey, Earps acknowledged the challenges she has faced but maintained that she had given everything to the national team.
“My journey has never been the simplest, so in true Mary fashion, this isn’t a simple goodbye – right before a major tournament,” she wrote. “I have given everything, my heart and soul. I left it all out there on the pitch and did my best to help systemic change. I have no regrets.”
Earps’ departure marks the end of an era for England, with her experience, leadership, and presence likely to be missed as the Lionesses prepare for their title defence this summer.
JOSH INGLIS scored 73 runs to help Punjab Kings secure a top-two finish and a seven-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians on Monday. The result confirmed Punjab’s place in the IPL playoffs, giving them two chances to reach the final.
Both Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians had already qualified for the playoffs along with Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Punjab’s second-place finish means they will play in the first qualifier on May 29, with another chance in the second qualifier if needed to reach the final on June 3.
Punjab chased down the target of 185 with nine balls to spare in Jaipur, helped by a 109-run stand between Inglis and Priyansh Arya. Arya scored 62 before he was dismissed in the 15th over, and Inglis fell shortly after completing his first IPL fifty, with the team needing 14 runs to win.
Inglis, who also keeps wicket, hit nine fours and three sixes in his 42-ball innings.
Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer made 26 not out from 16 balls to see the team through.
“Every individual stepped up at the right time,” said Iyer. “We’ve had players putting their hands up when we were in the dumps. (Coach) Ricky (Ponting) has been fantastic with player management, it’s important for me to get trust too.”
Ponting said of Iyer, who was bought for $3.17 million in November’s auction, “It was pretty obvious with the amount of money we spent on him, we wanted him here. He’s a man who has been so good and has a sparkle for captaincy, he has led this team superbly.”
Mumbai Indians, who have won the IPL five times, will play the eliminator on May 30 after finishing fourth in the group phase.
“We just want to play good cricket going forward, figure out the right template for the batting group,” Mumbai captain Hardik Pandya said. “Not much panic though, we knew what was at stake.”
Gujarat Titans’ position will depend on the result of the final league match between Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday.
In the IPL playoff format, the winner of the first qualifier will move straight to the final, while the loser will get another chance in the second qualifier.
Mumbai Indians made 184-7, with Suryakumar Yadav top-scoring with 57 off 39 balls.
South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton hit 27 in an opening partnership of 44 with Rohit Sharma, who made 24. Rickelton was dismissed in the sixth over as Mumbai lost wickets at regular intervals, including Rohit and England’s Will Jacks, who scored 17.
Suryakumar steadied the innings with a 44-run stand with Pandya, who made 26 off 15 balls and hit two fours and two sixes before falling to South African left-arm pacer Marco Jansen.
Naman Dhir, batting at number seven, and Suryakumar added 23 runs in the 19th over. Dhir scored 20 from 12 balls before being dismissed by left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh at the start of the final over. Arshdeep also removed Suryakumar in the same over, finishing with two wickets for three runs.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Klaasen made an unbeaten 105 from 39 balls to take Hyderabad to the third-highest IPL total after they chose to bat at New Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla ground. (Photo: Getty Images)
SOUTH AFRICA's Heinrich Klaasen scored his second IPL century on Sunday to help Sunrisers Hyderabad to a total of 278-3 and a 110-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders.
In the first game of the day, Chennai Super Kings, who finished last this season, signed off with an 83-run win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
Chennai captain MS Dhoni said he has "no hurry" to decide about his future in the T20 league. The 43-year-old was reported to be retiring.
Klaasen made an unbeaten 105 from 39 balls to take Hyderabad to the third-highest IPL total after they chose to bat at New Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla ground.
Promoted to number three, Klaasen hit seven fours and nine sixes in Hyderabad’s dominant batting show after opener Travis Head scored 76 off 40 balls.
Three-time champions Kolkata, who won the IPL last year, were bowled out for 168 in 18.4 overs to end in eighth place out of 10 teams.
Hyderabad's Head and opening partner Abhishek Sharma started with a partnership of 92 in 6.4 overs.
Abhishek made 32 before Head added 83 runs with Klaasen as the sixes continued to flow at Feroz Shah Kotla ground.
Klaasen reached his century in 37 balls, the joint third-fastest in IPL history. Chris Gayle had made a 30-ball hundred in 2013 and Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Suryavanshi reached three figures in 35 balls this season.
Left-handed Head was dismissed by Sunil Narine, but Klaasen kept going with Ishan Kishan.
In the earlier match, Chennai ended Gujarat’s chances of finishing in the top two. Chennai scored 230-5, with Devon Conway hitting 52 and Dewald Brevis adding 57 from 23 balls.
Chennai’s bowlers then bowled out Gujarat, who have already qualified for the playoffs, for 147 in 18.3 overs.
Chennai ended with four wins in 14 matches. The future of Dhoni, who took over as captain midway after Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury, remains uncertain.
Dhoni did not reveal any decision after the game.
"I have four, five months to decide. There's no hurry," said Dhoni.
The former India captain, who turns 44 in July, scored 196 runs in this IPL season. He was praised for his wicketkeeping with several stumpings.
"Need to keep the body fit," said Dhoni. "You have to be at your best. If cricketers start retiring for their performance, some of them will retire at 22. I will go back to Ranchi, enjoy a few bike rides.
"I am not saying I am done, not saying I am coming back. I have the luxury of time."
Gujarat, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians are sure of places in the top four, but are fighting to secure top two spots which give two chances to reach the final on June 3.
Gujarat end the league stage with 18 points. Punjab (17), Bengaluru (17) and five-time champions Mumbai (16) have one match remaining.
The focus was on Gujarat captain Shubman Gill, who was on the field a day after being named as India’s Test team captain.
He was the first to be dismissed, for 13 from nine balls, in Gujarat’s chase which never got going.
Gill said the loss was a "hard pill to swallow".
(With inputs from agencies)
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Maini is the first Indian driver to secure a victory at the circuit, known for its prestige in the racing world. (Photo: X/@dbmahadik)
KUSH MAINI became the first Indian to win the Formula 2 Sprint Race at the Monaco Grand Prix, achieving the milestone at the track on Saturday, 24 May.
Maini’s victory at Monaco marked his first win of the F2 season and his first podium with Dams Lucas Oil.
He is the first Indian driver to secure a victory at the circuit, known for its prestige in the racing world.
Maini started the race from pole position as the BWT Alpine F1 team reserve driver. He made a strong start and maintained his lead throughout the race.
“P1 and first Indian to win at Monaco. It’s a great honour and dream come true really. I want to thank DAMS and everyone who’s supported me. We keep believing,” said Maini after the race during the podium ceremony.
Maini had qualified P10 for Sunday’s Feature Race, which placed him in pole position for the Sprint Race because of the reverse grid system. From the lights out, Maini led all 30 laps of the race.
Maini said the Monaco win was important for his confidence and performance this season, following a difficult start to 2025.
Indian business tycoon Gautam Singhania was seen in the pit lane congratulating Maini after the win. Singhania’s JK Racing, along with TVS Racing, has supported Maini’s racing career from the beginning.
Maini will look to carry the momentum from Saturday’s win to the Feature Race on Sunday and then to the race in Barcelona next weekend.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Shubman Gill. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
INDIA named top-order batsman Shubman Gill as the new Test captain, the cricket board said Saturday (24), as it announced the team for next month's all-important tour of England.
Gill, 25, succeeds Rohit Sharma, who retired from Tests recently along with Virat Kohli. He will take charge in the five-Test series in England starting June 20.
Gill will lead a team in transition after Rohit, 38, and Kohli, 36, walked away from the five-day format in the space of six days this month to leave a big void.
"Shubman Gill-led TeamIndia are READY for an action-packed Test series," the Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a statement. His vice-captain will be Rishabh Pant.
Gifted with a wide range of shots, Gill has led Gujarat Titans into the playoffs of the current Indian Premier League T20 tournament.
"Obviously, he's very young but we've seen the improvement," chief selector Ajit Agarkar told reporters after the team announcement in Mumbai.
He said that, as well as Gill's IPL performances, the board "take feedback from a lot of people" and the choice was a "unanimous decision".
"It's obviously going to be a high-pressure job. But we're hopeful that we've picked the right guy. I mean, he's a terrific player," Agarkar said.
"It's a big job, big transition," he said, especially with "two of our big players retiring".
"We were all confident that he is the guy to take us forward", he said.
However, pace bowler Mohammed Shami has been left out of the 18-member squad due to fitness concerns, Agarkar said.
"He's had a little bit of a setback over the last week or so," Agarkar said, adding medical scans had ruled Shami out for the series.
Pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah is in the squad, although he will not be able to play all five Tests. Bumrah's workload is being managed while he recovers from a career-threatening back injury -- a key reason for him not getting the Test captaincy.
Bumrah was Rohit's deputy in India's last Test tour of Australia.
Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj returns after he was dropped from the ODI team for the Champions Trophy this year.
Batsman Karun Nair, who hit an unbeaten 303 against England in Chennai in 2016, will make a comeback eight years after he last played a Test for India.
Gill's opening partner at Gujarat, Sai Sudharsan, who leads the IPL batting chart with 638 runs, also made the cut.
Agarkar said coach Gautam Gambhir and Gill will decide the batting order and who will replace Rohit and Kohli as opener and number two batter.
Gill has played 32 Tests, scoring 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05, with five hundreds, since his debut in Melbourne in 2020.
He has been a mainstay of India's batting in Test and ODI cricket and played a key role in the team's 50-overs Champions Trophy title in Dubai this year.
The Tests in England will be India's first in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.
The opener is at Headingley, followed by the second Test at Edgbaston from July 2.
Lord's hosts the third Test from July 10, with the fourth at Old Trafford beginning July 23 and the final Test at The Oval from July 31.
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