Joel's Nod For Quad

Matip’s header takes title race to the wire as second-string Reds get job done

- JOHN CROSS

AND so this incredible title race does go to the final day of the season.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (below) rolled the dice by making nine changes and yet still came up trumps as the Reds refuse to give up on their unlikely quadruple.

Joel Matip’s deflected header was as scrappy as they come, but it was a priceless goal all the same, to give us one final, nail-biting chapter of this incredible battle.

Manchester City’s task is simple – they will be crowned champions if they beat Aston Villa, and yet Liverpool’s win at St Mary’s at least keeps them in the hunt if Pep Guardiola’s mendo slip up.

What is remarkable is that Liverpool, having already won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, still finds enough energy to keep going until the bitter end, even in the 61st game of a marathon season.

They had to dig really deep and come from behind but, just three days after lifting the FA Cup following extra-time and penalties, they found a second wind to go again.