Former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld believes Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have to win the Premier League title again this season to avoid ‘heartbreak’ despite ending their 30-year top-flight drought.
That’s because the Dutchman says the trophy parade that Liverpool’s title-winners have missed out on is the equivalent of what was 'the best day of his life' after the Reds won the treble in 2001.
Westerveld played 61 out of the 63 matches during the 2000/01 season and explained to the ECHO that as a Liverpool fan, it was a dream come true to celebrate the moment with the other supporters.
Speaking on a special Blood Red podcast with Guy Clarke, Westerveld said: "The best thing about Liverpool is that it is difficult to make history. You can win a league or you can win the Champions League but we won six, and 19 leagues.
"We made history, winning five trophies in one calendar year and that makes me so proud, but it is so difficult now that finally you win the title and you are not able to celebrate it with the fans and show the fans the trophy.
"Maybe it is too much to say ‘heartbreaking’ but it is not the same. Klopp says that in the season when it is possible we will [have a parade], and hopefully the players have the same feeling [as what they would have done].
"Sharing that moment with the fans is just the most important and I was so heartbroken when you see the cup at Anfield and you can’t share it with a full stadium.
Listen to the full Sander Westerveld podcast by clicking HERE
"Look at the images from Madrid with the fans - those are the moments you never win in your life. I had a video recorder with me on the bus [in 2001] and I still watch the video sometimes. You cannot explain the feeling you have as players.
"You can see on the faces on all the people - that is why we play football. You can talk about the money, but to make the fans happy after so long was what made the people cry.
"There was so much happiness - it was the best feeling of my life. Some of the players had the luck of winning the Champions League and it was an even bigger parade but that was the best moment of my football life.
"Hopefully they win the league this year with fans and they can make up for that because as a football player, especially for me, I play for legacy and for the people and for myself and the feeling of winning.
"When you look back at your career, you look back at the legacy and the trophy that you left behind and making history."
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has vowed that his team will be given the opportunity to celebrate with a title parade once it is safe to organise such an event, but that could well be almost a year on from their league title being confirmed.
