Liverpool’s hopes of clinching their first Premier League title in 30 years seemed to be on the cusp of reality following Sunday’s win over Wolverhampton Wonderers. A Sadio Mane double gave Jurgen Klopp’s men a 2-0 win over their opponents, but sadly, it wasn’t enough to end their long-lasting quest for a Premier League trophy. Manchester City defeated them comfortably away from home at Brighton, thumping the Seagulls 4-1.

Pep Guardiola and his team had to win in order to prevent Liverpool from finishing first and they did just that, but were made to work hard for it after Brighton had taken the lead thanks to a Glenn Murray penalty. However, subsequent unanswered goals from Sergio Aguero, Aymeric Laporte, Riyad Mahrez and Ikay Gundogan led City to their second consecutive Premier League title, and their third in seven years.

Liverpool’s title run in with City was one that captured the attention of the entire football world, and is dubbed as one of the most riveting challenges in recent history. With just one loss all season, Liverpool fans would perhaps feel hard done by finishing second, however, fingers can perhaps be pointed to the seven draws they mustered up throughout the campaign, including one against Manchester City, which ended 0-0.

It would however be slightly unfair to cast any blame on this Liverpool team, given that they finished behind the second highest points tally in Premier League history. The record is also held by Guardiola and his men, who finished with a remarkable 100 points in the 2017/2018 campaign.

With their failed attempt to win the Premier League, Liverpool still have one more chance to salvage their season in three weeks, when they face Tottenham Hotspurs in the UEFA Champions League final. This will be their second consecutive appearance in the prestigious final, following last year’s disappointing defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev.

–Brian Pitter