Never in doubt.
No changes for the Tricky Reds today, as Jürgen kept faith with the same starting eleven that defeated Burnley on Wednesday night. There was good news with the return of both Henderson and Jota to the bench, although I would have left them out and minimised the risk of their being chosen for the Euros. Maybe that’s just me being selfish.
It was good to see fans back at Anfield and the pre-match rendition of the club anthem was delivered with real passion and gusto. The Reds had never lost at home on the final day of the season and, obviously, needed the three points to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
Anyone who thought that this would be a stroll, with the visitors already in “beach mode” was served an immediate reminder that this would not necessarily be the case. Zaha wriggled past Phillips but his attempted pull-back was blocked by Alisson; Townsend then attempted a cheeky free kick but our bearded Brazilian was again equal to the task.
At the other end, Salah beautifully laid off for the overlapping Trent but the right back couldn’t find a teammate in the box; Trent then smashed a free kick narrowly over the bar. Mané burst clear down the left and found Mo, whose shot was deflected wide; from the resulting corner, Williams headed over when unmarked.
Salah was then released by Mané but his attempt to find the top corner flew narrowly over. Guaita then saved a half-volley from the Egyptian as the Reds started to turn the screw; Robertson dragged a shot wide and then Sadio did the same thing, after a brief break in play due to Nat’s head injury. Phillips returned with a very stylish black bandage around his noggin.
Joel Ward then thwarted Robbo, whose subsequent corner was bundled home by Mané at the back post after Williams had flicked on. Rhys then joined Nat with a head injury, which necessitated another break in play as we approached half time. Thiago had a shot deflected wide; the same fate befell Salah after he had brought the ball down brilliantly.
As the players trudged off for their halftime oranges, it was a familiar feeling: Liverpool well in control and we should have already been out of sight; Palace had shown that they were capable of threatening.
The second stanza started with the home side on the front foot and a series of corners saw Firmino have a header flicked over by Guaita; Palace then had a little spell of possession but didn’t create any clear-cut chances.
Trent played a ball across the face of goal but it was cut out before it reached Mané at the far post; McCarthy then did well to deny Salah as the Egyptian was about to pull the trigger.
Trent and Ayew were both booked for a bit of handbags as we entered the last twenty minutes; Robbo did well to Nick the ball off the dangerous Zaha.
And then Mané settled a lot of Liverpool nerves as he fired home after some neat Liverpool passing, a slight deflection off Cahill leaving Guaita with no chance. 2-0 to the good guys.
There was a rousing round of applause for Gini, probably leaving Anfield for the last time, as he was replaced by Milner with twelve minutes left to play. Salah steered wide- again- soon afterwards when he might have played in Sadio for his hat trick.
Reidewald caught Thiago with a studs-up challenge; Craig Pawson possibly felt a bit sorry for him and only awarded a yellow when a red card might have been waved. Salah had a shot deflected and Guaita was able to save low to his left.
Townsend whipped in an inswinging free kick which Cahill just failed to reach; Ox and Jota replaced Robbo and Bobby as we entered stoppage time. And that was that; three points and third place secured.
Next up is… the summer transfer window. Let’s hope we reinforce effectively before the restart in August; I would just sell as many ineffective squad players as possible to reduce the wage bill and bring in Mbappé but who knows what the club has in mind?
MOTM: Roy Hodgson. The veteran coach has announced that he is leaving Crystal Palace at the end of the season and today’s was almost certainly his last game as a manager in the top flight. He has taken charge of sixteen clubs, spread across eight countries, over the last 45 years and, although he is not fondly remembered for his time at Anfield, it must be borne in mind that he was operating under those shysters Hicks and Gillett. I wish him a long and happy retirement, although there’s a possibility that he may find another job somewhere.
78’ James MILNER on Gini WIJNALDUM off
36’ Sadio MANE (Assist Rhys WILLIAMS)
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