Liverpool’s Next Stop: the Champions League
In recent seasons, it’s been Arsenal locking down fourth place when all was done and dusted with the Premiership standings.
So much for that trend.
Liverpool simply needed to hold serve at Anfield against relegated Middlesbrough to clinch England's final berth in Champions League competition next season.
They did, in a 3-0 performace that was as by-the-numbers as the score indicates.
No, really.
The Premiership's been known to come up with upsets in matches like these, but not this time.
With the Arsenal taking down Everton, 3-1, the 'Pool needed to roll with the chalk and ring up all three points in this one.
Resigned to its fate, the Boro seemed content to play for one point. It turned their end of the pitch into a shooting gallery, but dudes held firm until the first half's injury time.
That's when Georginio Wijnaldum made it possible for the home crowd to exhale:
Frankly, it was just desserts.
Philippe Coutinho has a killer right foot, and he showed his capabilities six minutes after the intermission with a superb free kick:
Typical Brazilian magic.
That turn of events precipitated a total collapse by Boro, which allowe Adam Lallana to cap the formalities five miuntes later:
Now, the Reds can get out the pom-pons for Ajax of Amsterdam, who meet Manchester United in Stockholm this Wed 24 May for the Europa Cup final.
If the Dutch side wins it, the 'Pool expect a more favorable draw when they enter the Champions League bracket-play stage at the start of next season.
Click on a photo to enlarge.
