Liverpool rounded off a memorable Premier League season with a win over Wolves.

Jurgen Klopp’s side headed into the final day of the campaign knowing they could pip Manchester City to the title if the champions were held at Brighton.

Although City ran out 4-1 winners at the Amex Stadium, the Reds still managed to keep up their end of the bargain with goals in either half from Sadio Mane.

The Senegal international first swept home a close-range finish from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross before repeating the link-up move in the second half.

Mane’s headed second saw the Premier League’s Golden Boot award tied between himself, teammate Mohamed Salah and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

A season like no other

 

In the end, there was no happy ending for Liverpool.

Their wait for a Premier League title will tick over into a 30th successive year.

But Jurgen Klopp’s side can take heart that they took Manchester City right down to the wire in the most enthralling domestic battle in the league’s history.

Events in Brighton rendered this result immaterial but 97 points is a remarkable accomplishment. In an ordinary season, it would have been enough.

Liverpool, however, are not currently living in ordinary times.

Anfield stands defiant

 

Few would have believed that Liverpool had just lost the title at the final whistle.

Anfield greeted the end of a league campaign in which their team had given everything and fallen just short as if they were on the right side of history.

Flags were waved and pyrotechnics let off on the Kop with a level of gusto that will no doubt be replicated in Madrid in just under three weeks’ time.

A second Champions League final appearance is hardly a consolation prize even in the context of this season and Liverpool fans would not treat it as such.

Reds in safe hands with golden trio

 

The title may have eluded Merseyside but there was still cause for celebration at the final whistle that the Reds beat City to other notable accolades.

Alisson Becker capped off an assuring debut season by claiming the Golden Glove award, pipping compatriot Ederson with 21 clean sheets.

A brace for Sadio Mane saw him tied with Mohamed Salah and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the Golden Boot on 22 goals for the current campaign.

City were not the only ones claiming back-to-back crowns as Salah capped off another prolific season by winning the award for a second year running.

At both ends of the field, Klopp’s side appear in very capable hands.

This really is just the start

 

It is a mantra which has often been repeated in the face of setbacks at Anfield.

‘This is just the start’.

That overriding message was relayed by everyone connected to Liverpool both on and off the pitch in the aftermath of this greatest season that never was.

And it is hard to disbelieve that statement when you consider the strides that Klopp and his players have undertaken over the previous nine months.

Ongoing weaknesses and mental fragility are now a thing of the past. A title bid went down to the final game because of the work undertaken behind the scenes.

Liverpool will be back next season, stronger than the last. Given this monumental effort, their best is likely to be yet to come.