Liverpool took the lead after 47 seconds and finished the evening as champions. Their 3–0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield on 8 May 1979 secured the club's eleventh league title, with two matches still to play.
The opening came from the full-back. Terry McDermott crossed for Alan Kennedy to score from close range, immediately putting Liverpool ahead in the match that could settle the championship. Kenny Dalglish added the second in the 38th minute, giving Bob Paisley's side a two-goal lead at the interval.
Villa had beaten Liverpool 3–1 at Villa Park on 16 April. Since then Liverpool had gone five league games without defeat, winning three and drawing two. The return fixture offered Paisley's team the chance to complete the title race against the side responsible for their most recent setback.
McDermott made it 3–0 in the 57th minute. Having supplied the first goal, he scored the last, and Villa could find no reply. More than 50,000 spectators had seen Liverpool establish their advantage in the opening minute and extend it on either side of half-time.
The arithmetic was now conclusive. Liverpool had 64 points from 40 matches. West Bromwich Albion, their nearest challengers that evening, had 57 from 39: even three wins would leave Albion a point short under the two-points-for-a-win system.
Liverpool's remaining fixtures were away at Middlesbrough and Leeds United. Neither was needed to secure first place.