It required a miracle, and for 90 seconds we sort of had one. Nevertheless, Liverpool finish the season in second after one of the closest title fights in years.
Never give up, that was the thought pre-match as the Reds hosted Wolves on the final day of the season.
Liverpool needed to win their game and hope that Brighton caused an upset on the south coast against Man City.
As the players arrived at Anfield, that was the message from the fans—once again lining the streets of L4 to show their appreciation for a remarkable season of football.
Liverpool needed an early goal to put the pressure back onto City, they got one; Sadio Mane was once again the right man, in the right place, at the right time.
The initial assist was credited to Trent Alexander-Arnold but was then whipped back off him by the Premier League.
The Senegal international had pulled to within one goal of team-mate Mohamed Salah in their race for the league’s Golden Boot.
There were battles all over the pitch for individual accolades, but it was the collective one that remained on everybody’s mind.
Then, Anfield went into delirium—Brighton took the lead against City, but as soon as news filtered through, their title rivals equalised.
It became a moment to check phones and hope that any miracle could last.
As the Reds went into half time leading 1-0, news had already surfaced that City had taken the lead—the story was set, but Liverpool never gave up hope.
After a few close shaves, they once again took control of the fixture. Mane grabbed his second, and with it a share the Golden Boot.
Salah tried to sneak ahead with a late sight at goal—but the scoreline ended 2-0, and unbelievably a three-way tie for the Premier League‘s top goalscorer.
Both Liverpool forwards (and Arsenal‘s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang) would take home the spoils of a wonderful individual season.
Alisson ended his first campaign with the Golden Glove, 21 clean sheets enough to win him the prize that all goalkeepers have an eye on.
Despite just missing out on their first title for 29 years, by the most agonising of margins, the players took to the Anfield pitch for their lap of honour and to soak up the appreciation of the crowd.
Thoughts now turn to Madrid on June 1, where the disappointment of today will be soon forgotten if the Reds lift their sixth European Cup.
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