Liverpool fans celebrate after false rumour spreads around Anfield that Aston Villa were drawing 3-3 against Man City

THIS is the moment many Liverpool fans inside Anfield thought they had one hand on the title.

Champions League finalists Liverpool came within a whisker of snatching the Premier League trophy away from Manchester City on the final day.

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Many inside Anfield even thought they had won it, after a rumour spread around the stands that Steven Gerrard's side had made it 3-3 late on at the Etihad.

Liverpool had initially trailed Wolves 1-0 after an early goal from Pedro Neto.

Sadio Mane levelled things up for the hosts, before Mohamed Salah put Jurgen Klopp's side ahead on 84 minutes.

And shortly after Salah's strike, an enormous cheer erupted around Anfield.

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It seemed as though the home crowd thought Villa had pegged back City to make it 3-3, and the title would have red ribbons around it.

Fans in the stands were spotted hugging and celebrating in the apparent belief that as things stood they would be champions.

The moment was captured on Sky Sports, with commentator Rob Hawthorne saying: "A cheer going around though we know not why because Manchester City, to our knowledge, are still leading by three goals to two.

"I'm not sure if a false rumour has spread around here like wildfire."

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But the home crowd's joy was not to be.

Gerrard's Villa had led City 2-0 before a stunning five-minute turnaround saw a Rodri goal sandwiched in between an Ilkay Gundogan brace secure the title for Pep Guardiola in dramatic style.

Klopp was spotted embracing Thiago Alcantara as the deafening cheer erupted, although that could have been in relation to the first-half injury the Spanish midfielder had picked up.

Substitute Takumi Minamino meanwhile appeared not to be fooled, and motioned for the Reds to calm down as supporters cheered.

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Guardiola's side did indeed manage to keep Villa out in the closing stages at the Etihad to secure back-to-back Prem crowns.

It meant Liverpool agonisingly missed out on the title by a single point, having gone the league entire campaign at Anfield without being beaten.