LAND OF THE GIANTS
Ever-present Van Dijk typifies the champions of England as they set records galore
RELENTLESS and hungry to the very end.
Even on the last day of the season, days after a trophylifting party, Liverpool kept breaking records.
Sadio Mane sealed a club record 14th away victory, beating last year’s total. With a 44th point won on their travels, last season’s club best was equalled.
The points tally ticked on to 99... the most Liverpool have achieved in a campaign, two better than last term.
A 32nd league win also equalled the record for the top two divisions – only rivals Manchester City have done it before (twice).
History makers and still wanting more. Even with a starting XI which read like a second string. It’s the kind of attitude that turns one title season into a multi-winning dynasty.
Imperious Virgil Van Dijk completed his second consecutive ever-present season, scoring to mark the occasion, as his side ran riot at St James’ Park. Liverpool were pushing for more as the seconds ticked down on their title campaign – and were rewarded as their last league goal of the season, their 85th, came from sub Sadio Mane (below, with James Milner) a minute from time.
It was the mark of champions that on a sleepy afternoon in front of an empty stadium they ran the game with 74 per cent possession, with Divock Origi also netting.
For Newcastle, the alarm bells were ringing. It’s just two wins from 10 games, and a 13th- placed finish. Par for the course for Steve Bruce.
With some tinkering this squad could soar as high as maybe 12th or 11th next season! Bruce hoped Liverpool were “worse for wear” after their celebration on Wednesday, and they briefly looked hungover in the first minute. Newcastle were ahead after 25 seconds when Dwight Gayle (below right) struck his fourth goal since the restart. It was so quick broadcaster BT Sport missed it, showing a replay of a foul, as quickthinking Jonjo Shelvey flipped a free-kick. Not that Liverpool weren’t generous, as exToon star Gini Wijnaldum rolled the ball to Shelvey, allowing him to take the kick. Liverpool were level after 38 minutes – fittingly a goal from the man who has played every minute of this titlewinning season.
Van Dijk rounded off his flawless season with a headed goal of supreme skill.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain whipped in a cross to the back post and Van Dijk looped a delicate header back across goal and over Martin Dubravka.
The clincher came from Origi, who broke a 23-game scoring drought in the 59th minute.
He grabbed the winner in this fixture last season, and curled in a beauty from 20 yards. Origi has finishing power, but hadn’t notched since a double against Everton in December. If that wasn’t demoralising enough for Newcastle the sight of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Mane coming on as a triple substitution in the 64th minute, was almost tragi-comic. The reserves were being replaced by the unstoppable Ateam, and Salah hit the post with his first touch.
Mane was the one to add to his tally, pinging a brilliant shot into the top corner for his 18th Premier League goal of the season.
To think this fixture used to be a top-of-the-table clash where title charges were decided. Newcastle’s diminished status won’t improve unless a controversial Saudi-funded takeover finally goes through. There’s not much for the Geordie fans to look forward to other than merely existing in the top flight.
But, on this evidence, Liverpool are clearly hungry for more success again next season.