This archive report was first published on 27 June 2020.
On June 18, 2020, Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a top-flight title by winning the Premier League. The achievement was met with congratulations from an unexpected source - former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
According to Kenny Dalglish, the former Liverpool boss, Ferguson sent a text message to congratulate him on the team's historic win. This gesture is a testament to the respect and camaraderie that exists between the two Scottish football icons.
Ferguson, who managed Manchester United from 1986 to 2013, is known for his rivalry with Liverpool. However, in a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, he reached out to Dalglish to offer his congratulations.
"He contacted us to say congratulations by the modern medium," Dalglish said, highlighting the change in communication methods over the years.
As Dalglish reflected on the gesture, he noted that it is a great compliment to be recognized by one's rivals. "You are in competition and rivals, but you are magnanimous enough to send a letter saying congratulations. Everyone is in the same game, aren't they?"
Liverpool's title win was made possible after second-placed Manchester City were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea, leaving the new champions with an unassailable 23-point lead with seven games left.
Dalglish also praised skipper Jordan Henderson, who he signed from Sunderland during his second stint at the Merseyside club from 2011-12. "He was determined to be a success in football. He's the only Liverpool captain who will have lifted this trophy but also the Club World Cup as well," the 69-year-old said.
