A coronation match turned into something of a sad day and then into an appreciation match for a truly wonderful season. Liverpool don’t win a championship, again, having to settle for second place in the Premier League despite a 2-1 win over Newcastle win that didn’t make a difference.
Liverpool needed to win their match while hoping for a Manchester City loss at home to West Ham. Not the most likely of scenarios. Instead of opening with an attacking purpose, Joe Allen was in the lineup for Philippe Coutinho, meaning Rodgers was slightly frightened.
Newcastle didn’t really try too hard, but still managed to score a goal as Martin Skrtel, an expert of own goal and mistakes, made the wrong touch once again as the ball landed in the net After 20 minutes.
From that moment until Coutinho took to the pitch in the 59th minute, Liverpool seemed depressed and broken down. From their misses during the late stages of the season when the title was finally in their grasp, and from Manchester City not slipping up at home.
But a great season, even without titles, deserves a good finish. Liverpool moved into a formation that made it a lot more difficult for Newcastle to handle, as Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez were fouled on the break again and again.
Two crosses from almost the same spot resulted in goals for Liverpool – first by Daniel Agger and then by Daniel Sturridge, who was quite inaccurate on the final days of the season. Liverpool came away with the victory while Newcastle lost Shola Ameobi and Paul Dummett to red cards (the Dummett one seemed a bit harsh).
This was a season that put Liverpool back in the thick of things for the first time in five years, finishing second. It brings them back to the Champions League, and should set the stage for a brighter future than the last few years. It also means the beginning of another summer with questions on whether Luis Suarez stays or not.