MARC POZZO
As the clock ticked down on Liverpool’s unsuccessful bid to win their first English title in 29 years, a defiant refrain echoed around Anfield as all four sides of the famous old stadium chanted “We shall not be moved, we’re the team that’s gonna win the European Cup.”
Liverpool may have fallen just a point short in the title race after Manchester City retained the Premier League crown with their 4-1 victory at Brighton, but the Anfield faithful were determined to remind the world that Sunday’s 2-0 win against Wolves in their last domestic game of the season wasn’t the end of an incredible campaign for Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s side hope to turn the agony of their title near-miss into the ecstasy of a sixth European Cup when they face Tottenham in the Champions League final on June 1. Tuesday’s incredible 4-0 win against Barcelona that erased a 3-0 first leg deficit and sent Liverpool to their second successive Champions League final, ensuring their last shot at winning the title for this season didn’t feel quite so painful.
City’s incredible consistency meant Liverpool have to settle for second place – the fifth time they have been runners-up since they were last crowned kings of English football in 1990. Sadio Mane’s double gave them 97 points – the third highest total in Premier League history behind only City’s tallies this season and last. Liverpool, beaten only once all season in the league, also equaled the club’s top-flight record of 30 wins, set over 42 matches in 1978-79, after recording a ninth consecutive league victory. No wonder Liverpool were given a standing ovation when the final whistle sounded.
Meanwhile ,the race to be crowned the English Premier League’s leading scorer this season ended in a three-way tie on Sunday as the African trio of Sadio Mane, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mohamed Salah shared the Golden Boot. Gabon forward Aubameyang scored twice for Arsenal at Burnley to join Salah and his Liverpool team-mate Mane, who netted a final-day double against Wolves, on 22 goals for the Premier League season. Sergio Aguero, of champions Manchester City, was next in line with 21 goals. Salah has now won the award two seasons in a row but this term’s winning tally was the lowest by players in English football’s top-flight since 2010/11 when Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez shared the Golden Boot with 20 goals apiece. Liverpool goalkeeper Allison collected the Golden Glove award with 21 clean sheets all season. He has been one of Klopps shrewdest signings and really kept Liverpool in a many a game this season .
Well, my wait for my first Castle Tankard winner continues, after our darling filly Solinski, found the going tough on Saturday at Borrowdale Park. She was never in the race from the beginning, and struggled when they turned for home. She did have a bad draw to overcome. However that’s racing I guess, my 30 year wait continues for a Tankard winner. My good friend Spencer Murray, and his racing partners horse, Peggson came through, as a popular winner to lift the nations, most prestigious horse race. What made it so special was that Spencer has been racing for 40 years and had never won a Tankard in all his racing years. His wait was finally over and so well deserved . Also the rider was a local boy. The son of former small trainer Alastair Mc Naughton now Academy master.
Brendon raised in the local academy rode the perfect race and what a likable young man he has turned out to be. His dad was there to share his victory and he looked on, as a very proud dad to see his son win a Tankard for the very first time. Well, the big question now is, can Peggson become only the 5th horse behind Kings Threat, Winters Night, Grisham and Yerrman to win the Castle Tankard and the OK Grand Challenge in the same year . All shall be revealed on the 8th June at Borrowdale Park Race Course .
