LIVERPOOL secured Champions League football on the final day of the season thanks to TWO Sadio Mane goals at home to Crystal Palace.
- RESULT: Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace
- Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Williams, Phillips, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Thiago, Mane, Salah, Firmino.
- Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Cahill, Tomkins, Mitchell, Kouyate, Riedewald, McCarthy, Towsend, Ayew, Zaha.
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Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
You can catch all of the action on Sky Sports Main Event.
Every Premier League match is being broadcast on Sunday simultaneously across Sky Sports and BT Sport platforms.
If you’re not a Sky customer, grab a NOW TV pass from £9.99 to stream.
THAT’S A WRAP
Thanks for joining us for the final day of the season, what a ride it’s been!
Don’t forget to take a look at our match report, courtesy of Dave Kidd.
REFLECTING ON LIVERPOOL’S SEASON
Speaking on Sky Sports, Graeme Souness said: “Liverpool will be delighted with that, it didn’t go wrong for them on the final day and they were by far the better team, two goals did not flatter them.
“They are one of the big guys, they have to be in the Champions League if they want to attract players.
“It would have been an absolute disaster if they hadn’t got there this year from every angle.
“It looked like they wouldn’t make it, but they have found character and form, and no one can say they do not deserve to qualify.”
CAPTAIN TALK
Jordan Henderson spoke on Sky Sports after the game, he said: “It was important for us to finish like this and get a Champions League spot.
“At the end of the day, it’s a good outcome for us to qualify – at different points of the season, people probably didn’t think we would get there.
“But the last nine or ten games we have proven that we deserve it.”
On having 10,000 fans back at Anfield, Henderson added: “This makes a huge difference, Anfield is amazing and it was special to have the fans back.
“They were outstanding today. Hopefully next season we can have more of them regularly.
“For me, it’s a different sport without fans – especially this lot.
“But, we have to adapt for it, it’s the same for all of the teams – for us, we didn’t cope well with certain things, lack of fans and injuries but we finished the season well.”
CURTAINS ON AN UNUSUAL SEASON
Celebrations for Liverpool are still going strong at Anfield.
The players are showing their appreciation for the 10,000 fans who turned out for them today.
Wijnaldum looks emotional as he takes it all in.
IT’S ALL OVER
Chelsea make it into fourth by the skin of their teeth, despite losing today to Villa.
On the final day, Tottenham beat Leicester 4-2 to put an end to their Champions League dream.
FT: LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
Top at Christmas, eighth in March and now third. Job done.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
91. Liverpool are desperately trying to pick out Salah to give him that final goal needed to draw level with Kane.
The European spots are confirmed as Tottenham beat Leicester 4-2.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
90. Three additional minutes at Anfield.
Firmino and Robertson are replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jota.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
89. Salah goes down in the box as the Kop cry for a penalty.
But the ref plays on.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
87. Kouyate limps off as he’s replaced by former Liverpool man Kelly.
He left Liverpool six years ago and will get a few minutes in his first Premier League game in 16 months.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
86. It’s all changed again as Tottenham take the lead courtesy of Gareth Bale.
Leicester have led twice, but in the second season running, on the final day, may well miss out on a Champions League spot.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
85. Milner sees yellow for taking out Schlupp’s ankles.
Freekick to Palace about 35 yards out on the left.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
84. CHANCE!
In a bid to help Salah towards the golden boot, Firmino doesn’t touch the ball as it rolls towards goal, Guaita eventually bats it away.
Robertson raced into the box on the left and squared it to Salah but he scuffed his effort.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
83. Riedewald sees yellow for a late studs-up challenge on Thiago.
Liverpool players were pushing for more, but on review a yellow was fair.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
Is this the goal that secured Champions League football?
LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
79. Salah misses his chance to equal Kane in the race for the golden boot.
He’s away on the right and pushes the ball to his left at the top of the box, he tries to curl it into the far corner, but it’s way wide.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
78. That final European spot is still up for grabs as Tottenham have just pulled level against Leicester.
Chelsea still trail, but would go through on goal difference.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
76. Wijnaldum’s afternoon is over and he gets a standing ovation for his Anfield farewell.
He’s replaced by Milner.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
73. Just as Liverpool look a little tired, Thiago bursts into life and halts Palace’s attack just outside their area.
He picks Fabinho in the middle of the park, who sets Salah away on the right wing.
Salah is looking for reinforcements around the box and eventually picks out Mane, totally unmarked on the left of the box.
He drills it hard and low, taking a deflection on the way to goal, securing Liverpool’s spot in Europe.
GOOOOOOAL
SURELY THAT’S A SPOT IN EUROPE WRAPPED UP!?
LIVERPOOL 1-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
71. Chelsea have halved the deficit at Villa Park.
Chilwell’s the man who pulled them back into the game and into the race for Europe.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
70. It’s getting a little heated on the touchline at Anfield.
Ayew has been shoving Thiago after the Liverpool midfielder stepped in to stop Ayew going for Alexander-Arnold.
Ayew sees yellow, so does Trent.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
69. Hodgson could well make an attacking change shortly.
He’s managed 364 Premier League games so will want to try and end well.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
66. Salah currently trails Kane by one goal in the race for the golden boot.
He’s come close this afternoon, but has been held off well by Guaita and Palace’s central defence.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
64. A second goal would wrap up Liverpool’s European spot, but it’s all a little nervy at the moment.
Salah breaks into the box, but instead of striking it with his first touch he’s dispossessed by Cahill on the edge.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
