Klopp: Liverpool have 'increased desire' to win Champions League after title heartbreak

Reds narrowly miss out on final day after Manchester City fight back from two goals down to beat Aston Villa and retain the trophy

Jurgen Klopp hugs Mohamed Salah at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers. EPA

Jurgen Klopp hugs James Milner after Liverpool's win over Wolves at Anfield. EPA

Jurgen Klopp with Jamies Milner at the end of the match after Liverpool fell just short of winning the Premier League title. Reuters

Jurgen Klopp with Ibrahima Konate after Liverpool's Premier League win over Wolves. PA

Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring Liverpool's second goal against Wolves. Getty

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz battles for the ball with Wolves defender Jonny. Getty

Mohamed Salah celebrates with the Golden Boot and Playmaker of the Year trophies. AFP

Liverpool players celebrate after Mohamed Salah scores against Wolves. AP

Mohamed Salah scores Liverpool's second goal against Wolves. Getty

Sadio Mane celebrates with Naby Keita after scoring a goal that was later cancelled due to an offside position. AFP

Andy Robertson scores the third goal for Liverpool against Wolves. EPA

Pedro Neto beats Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker to put Wolves ahead. EPA

Neto is congratulated by teammate Raul Jimenez after scoring the opening goal. EPA

Sadio Mane of Liverpool celebrates after levelling the scores. EPA

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates after Mane's goal. AFP

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said narrowly missing out on the Premier League title has "increased the desire" to win the Champions League final.

Needing to beat Wolves on the final day while hoping Aston Villa prevent a Manchester City victory, the Reds did their job by claiming a come-from-behind 3-1 win at Anfield, while Villa led 2-0 with 14 minutes remaining at the Etihad. However, three goals in five minutes saw City clinch a remarkable victory to retain the title, one point ahead of Liverpool.

Despite the final day disappointment, Liverpool still enjoyed a successful domestic campaign having won both the League Cup and FA Cup, and can complete a treble with a win over Real Madrid in Paris on Saturday.

"This season is absolutely incredible and will not end today, it ends next week obviously," Klopp said. "And there we will try absolutely everything.

"We have now five days to prepare the final, that's what we will do. And of course, losing the league today increased the desire to put it right next week, it increased the desire."

Klopp also congratulated City and manager Pep Guardiola on winning their fourth Premier League title in five years.

"I am proud but I'm disappointed, of course, as well," Klopp said. "There are maybe worse scenarios, if you would have been a point up and don't make it, that might feel even worse.

"Congratulations to Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, all staff, all players, whole club, for being champions. We were close but in the end not close enough. That's how it is."

Liverpool v Wolves player ratings

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 8 The Brazilian was put under unexpected pressure but made a series of splendid saves. Without him the game would have been out of sight before Liverpool went into the lead. EPA

Trent Alexander-Arnold 5 Wolves got in behind the 23-year-old. The risk-reward factor is a feature of his game but his crossing going forward did not yield enough success on a difficult afternoon. AFP

Joel Matip 6 The 30-year-old was Liverpool’s most composed defender but was turned too often and no centre back is comfortable facing their own goal. He was unable to make the most of his ability to step out of defence with the ball. AP

Ibrahima Konate - 5 The Frenchman got under the ball before Neto’s goal. His pass started the move for the equaliser but he never looked secure. EPA

Andrew Robertson - 6 The Scot scored the third goal but his raiding forward did not have its usual impact. Wolves got too much joy in the space behind him. Getty

Jordan Henderson - 5 The captain could not exert control of the midfield. He is normally effective in screening the defence but he was unable to stop the opposition’s quick breaks. PA

Thiago Alcantara - 8 The 31-year-old was the standout player in the first half and his backheeled pass to Mane for the equaliser was sublime. He picked up a hamstring injury, though, and was replaced by Milner at half time. Getty

Naby Keita - 6 The Guinean tried to get forward but was wasteful in possession. He made way for Firmino in the 70th minute as Liverpool threw everything at the opposition goal. AFP

Luis Diaz - 6 The Colombian was lively in the first half but struggled to get involved in the second period. He beat the ground in frustration after one late effort. It was that sort of day. AP

Sadio Mane - 8 The Senegalese levelled the scores and was relentless in his effort. His appetite to win the ball back was impressive. AP

Diogo Jota - 6 The Portuguese put in plenty of legwork but did not cause enough problems for his former club. He made way for Salah in the 58th minute. AP

SUBS: James Milner - 6 The 36-year-old came on for Thiago after the break. He was calm on the ball and quick to tackle but never stamped his authority on the game. Getty

Mohamed Salah - 7 The Egyptian replaced Jota in the 58th minute. His shooting was rushed and sometimes misguided but he seized a share of the golden boot with a clever backheeled goal. EPA

Roberto Firmino - 6 The Brazilian joined the action in the 70th minute at Keita’s expense. His passing was scattergun but he set up Robertson to score the third. EPA

WOLVES RATINGS: Jose Sa - 6 Most of the Portuguese’s work came in claiming mis-hit crosses. He was injured just before the break and replaced by Ruddy after half time. AP

Willy Boly - 7 The 31-year-old stood strong against the Liverpool onslaught. He blocked an Alexander-Arnold shot and made a last-gasp tackle that stopped Salah from scoring. EPA

Conor Coady - 7 The boyhood Liverpool fan gave everything and put his body on the line. He stopped a Diaz shot with his face, a moment that encapsulated his performance. AP

Toti Gomes - 6 The Portuguese dealt with the pressure until close to the end. He claimed a penalty early in the second half when Konate pushed him in the back. PA

Jonny - 6 The Spaniard was given a tough time by Diaz but battled hard. He was wasteful in possession and could have been better on the ball. AP

Leander Dendoncker - 6 The Belgian got up and down the field, helping the defence and contributing to counter-attacks. His finishing was poor and he should have put his side two goals up after a Neto pass. AP

Ruben Neves - 6 The 25-year-old had more time on the ball than he might have expected against the Liverpool press. He could have used his possession more cleverly. EPA

Joao Moutinho - 6 The 35-year-old was effective and used the ball well for the first hour. He faded as Liverpool piled on the pressure. Getty

Rayan Ait-Nouri - 6 The Frenchman got into good positions going forward but was too often overlooked by his team-mates. His defending was solid until the final phase of the game. AP

Pedro Neto - 7 The Portuguese caused the defence all manner of problems. He took his goal superbly and presented Dendoncker with a splendid opportunity. Unfortunately, he had to limp off injured in the 22nd minute and make way for Hwang EPA

Raul Jimenez - 7 The Mexican picked out Neto for the opener. He had the perfect chance to kill the game in the second half but his cross to Hwang was overhit. AFP

SUBS: Hwang Hee-chan - 4 The South Korean replaced Neto after 22 minutes and should have scored when one-on-one with Alisson. His passing was as poor as his finishing. AFP

John Ruddy - 6 The 35-year-old came on for Sa at half time. He was overrun in the last 10 minutes but could do little to stop the goals. Getty

Francisco Trincao - 5 The 22-year-old was given a brief run-out, replacing Dendoncker in the final minute. There was nothing he could do to affect the game. Getty

There is one major concern for Klopp and Liverpool ahead of the Champions League final after midfielder Thiago Alcantara picked up an injury against Wolves. After an underwhelming debut season last year, Thiago has become a key player for Liverpool and his availability will make a big difference against Spanish champions Real Madrid.

"He doesn't look good, he was limping," Klopp said. "I have no idea if it will be enough [to recover for the Champions League final]. The rest should be all right."

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson also urged his teammates to quickly bounce back from the final day heartbreak and turn their attention to the Champions League final. The last time Liverpool faced Real Madrid in the European Cup final, in 2018, the Spanish side claimed a 3-1 win.

"The lads have given everything until the last day but it is not over yet, we still have a game next week," Henderson said. "Congratulations to City but focus on a huge match against a very good side. We have to be at our very best if we want to come away with the trophy."