It’s not very often that Liverpool win a game of football and there is an air of disappointment around the majority connected with the club.
Sunday provided yet more drama in the Premier League title race, but the Reds came up just short. A 3-1 win over Wolves at Anfield was not enough to leapfrog Manchester City who beat Aston Villa 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp’s side needed a win to have any chance of claiming a league title. They did their part, but City did theirs and the title went the way of Pep Guardiola’s side.
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But things were far from straightforward for either side. Liverpool trailed after an early Pedro Neto goal, while Man City trailed 2-0 to Villa through goals from Matty Cash and Philippe Coutinho.
After 75 minutes, Liverpool were one goal away from winning the league title. The score was 1-1 at Anfield and 2-0 to Villa at the Etihad, then everything changed,
Three goals in the space of five minutes for Man City saw Liverpool’s title chances come to an end, despite Salah and Robertson later scoring for the Reds. Another 90-plus point season with no title.
While disappointment may be the overriding feeling among Kopites, some remarks from one of their most bitter rivals may provide some form of comfort. While Liverpool were winning their 28th league match of the season, approximately 240 miles away at Selhurst Park Manchester United fans showed how far their club has fallen.
United lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace to finish sixth in the league table with their lowest points total in the Premier League era (58). It was United’s 12 league defeat of the campaign, as they finished 34 points behind Liverpool.
As has become tradition on the final day of the season, fans inside stadiums and around the globe frequently check their phones for the latest scores going on up and down the league. Even though Man United had very little to play for against Palace, their fans apparently found time to check scores from elsewhere.
As Ilkay Gundogan scored Man City’s third goal to put them 3-2 up and effectively win the title, Man United fans started cheering and chanting to poke fun at Liverpool’s expense. “You Scouse b******s” is apparently what sections of the United fans chanted.
It’s not the first time that this particular chant and others of a similar variety have been aimed at Liverpool and the club’s supporters by sections of Man United supporters. However, this time it comes at a time when the fortunes of the two clubs are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
In contrast to the scene at Anfield, even though the realisation of a league title being lost, the Anfield faithful stood by their team with various chants in support of the club, the manager and the players. With a Champions League final to look forward to at the weekend, the environment of English football’s two most successful clubs could not be more different.
You only have to look at what David De Gea said at full time to see how far the club has fallen. The Manchester United goalkeeper did not hide his feelings for how the season has played out at Old Trafford.
“The best thing that happened today is the season has finished,’ said De Gea.
He added: “I want to forget this season and be 100% ready for the next season and be positive.
“It has been horrible, a very bad season in all ways, it has been very tough. It is time to rest and prepare your minds for next season.”
If you were to ask a Man United fan for their thoughts on their team’s season, not many would come back with any realistic positives. And you get the feeling from De Gea’s comments that it’s a similar feeling among the players.
In contrast to the mood at Liverpool - yes, things may feel slightly downbeat after missing out on the league title, but it’s important to have some perspective. It must not be forgotten what Liverpool have already achieved this season, and could still do before it comes to a conclusion.
How many trophies have already been won? What final are Liverpool playing this coming weekend? The answers to both of these are enough on their own to pick up the mood among the fanbase.
Real Madrid may beat Liverpool in Paris on Saturday, and there would likely be even more doom and gloom around the Reds fan base if that were to happen. But even if it did, it must be important to remember that Liverpool are in as strong and stable a state as you could wish for a football club.
Two trophies already in the bag this season, with the prospect of another on the horizon. In contrast, United have just finished their fifth consecutive season without a major trophy.
Factor in Klopp committing his future to Liverpool until 2026, and the sun is still shining rather bright on Anfield. And it isn't likely to change anytime soon.
