Liverpool Blanks Wolves, Finishes Second to Man City by 1 Point
So close.
Hoping for another miracle, Liverpool had to decisively beat Wolves this afternoon and pray for Brighton make Man City drop points.
The Reds kinda delivered on their part -- they also had to make up a three-goal difference -- as Senegalese striker Sadio Mané scored both goals in 2-0 victory.
However, City pulled away from the Seagulls down on the South Coast to clinch the Premiership crown.
The Reds dominated Wolverhampton from the start. Their constant high-pressing made things difficult for Wolves to set foot into their attacking field.
That build-up bore fruit in the 17th minute. Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold combined for a one-two, as the right-back was givenspace down the right wing. Liverpool's No 66 -- not a typo -- delivered a perfect low cross to Mané, who scored from 7 yards out:
Shortly after that, word made it to the pitch that Brighton scored against Man City, and Anfield erupted.
However, the party was canceled due to City's quick level.
As time went on, Wolves grew into the game and almost pulled a goal back through Matt Doherty.
But you know what they say about almost ...
That's right. Nobody says anything about almost.
After the break, confirmation that the trophy would stay at Manchester begain to sink in, so the Reds slowed down the pace.
Wolves tried to surprise, but instead it was Mané who grabbed his second in the 81st.
Virgil van Dijk dished to Trent, who floated a cross to Mané, who headed home past Rui Patrício:
And that was that. The 'Pool were runners-up:
Next season will be their 30th attempt to hoist the hardware since they last did it.
On the bright side of a solid season:
- Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah shared the Golden Boot award alongside Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with all of them scoring 22 times; and
- Alisson Becker got the Golden Glove as the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets.
Meanwhile, Wolves served notice this season that they're coming. Dudes are now flush with mega-dosh, and they're ready to splash it around.
One of England's most traditional brands is becoming a big brand. Let's see what that does to the European cabal.