Liverpool fall short of title despite Mane double against Wolves

Liverpool fell just short of their first league title in 29 years, despite Sadio Mane’s double sinking Wolves at Anfield.

Mane’s early opener had The Kop dreaming of history, especially after Manchester City went 1-0 down in Brighton, but such optimism was short-lived and Liverpool were left to reflect on a season in which they collected 97 points, lost just once, but failed to win the title.

The Reds were given a boost before kick-off when Andy Robertson was passed fit to make the starting line-up despite suffering a calf injury in the Champions League comeback against Barcelona during the week.

An even bigger boost came when Mane opened the scoring after 17 minutes, converting a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross into the middle, momentarily putting Liverpool top of the Premier League and on course to become champions.

Liverpool fell a bit flat in the second half, allowing Wolves back into the game. Diogo Jota had chances to restore parity, but Mane added a second after 81 minutes, heading home from another Alexander-Arnold cross, to make sure of the points. By that point, though, it was irrelevant as City readied their title party in Brighton.

There will be a period of reflection for Liverpool over the coming days. They will look back at the Premier League season and wonder where it went wrong. It’s difficult to pick a point where they fell down, though. Klopp’s side registered 97 points and lost just once in 38 games. This just undermines the level that is required to win the Premier League title at the moment. In any other season (bar last season), they would have been champions.

What a season Mane has had. The Liverpool winger will share the 2018/19 Premier League Golden Boot with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mohamed Salah, bagging 22 goals over the campaign and this performance was yet another illustration of his quality, netting a brace. Mane has flown under the radar somewhat as a world-class talent over the past two seasons, but he deserves huge recognition.

Liverpool: Alisson 7, Robertson 6, Matip 6, Alexander-Arnold 8, Van Dijk 7, Fabinho 7, Wijnaldum 6, Henderson 5, Origi 5, Salah 5, Mane 8. Subs: Oxlade-Chamberlain, Milner 5, Gomez 5.

Wolves: Patricio 6, Coady 6, Jonny 6, Doherty 7, Bennett 6, Boly 5, Jota 5, Moutinho 5, Dendoncker 6, Neves 5, Jimenez 5. Subs: Traore 5, Gibbs-White 5, Vinagre 5.

PRE MATCH - Robertson was subbed off at half-time against Barcelona during the week, but the Scottish left-back is somewhat surprisingly back in the Liverpool starting line-up for this afternoon’s game. That’s a boost for the Reds.

17’ GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Wolves: Liverpool have the breakthrough that they were desperate for! Alexander-Arnold made the run down the right side and played a low cross into the box. Mane pulled back from his marker and finished first time into the back of the net! As things stand, Liverpool are top!

44’ Off the crossbar! Inches away from being an equaliser for Wolves! Doherty made the untracked run down the right side, he was picked out, but his side-footed effort comes of the top of the crossbar!

81’ GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Wolves: Liverpool get their second of the afternoon and it's Mane again! The cross from Alexander-Arnold was a beauty, it just evaded the top of Salah's head and Mane was on hand to turn it into the back of the net with a diving header! What a season he has had!

82’ Off the top of the bar! Inches away from being a third goal for Liverpool! Alexander-Arnold's cross from deep found Van Dijk up from the back at the back post, but his looping header hits the woodwork!

Liverpool finish the season with the highest final points total of any runners-up in English top-flight history - 97 points.

Sadio Mane has scored the opening goal of the game on nine separate occasions in the Premier League, the joint-most of any player this season alongside Mohamed Salah.

Mane has now scored 26 goals for Liverpool this season (in all competitions).