Klopp continues to pace around his technical area. He is bound to be pleased with his team's performance today.
88'
A bit of silliness as Chambers and Moreno get involved in some pushing and shoving off the ball. It looked as though Chambers had a bit of a kick out at the Liverpool man.
86'
Alberto Moreno enters the game and replaces J. Milner.
Another solid showing from Liverpool's ever versatile captain, but that is the end of James Milner's season as he gives way for Alberto Moreno.
84'
EXCELLENT BALL FROM MILNER! But there is no-one on the end of it. The left-back fizzes a teasing ball across the face of goal but it had not been anticipated by Origi.
83'
Could that be the last time we see Sturridge in a Liverpool shirt? The striker leaves the pitch to the sound of applause as Divock Origi replaces him.
82'
D. Origi enters the game and replaces D. Sturridge.
Decent chance for Middlesbrough as Negredo works himself some room before clipping the ball into the box. Adam Forshaw rushes onto the pass, but he fails to get his shot on target.
81'
Sturridge makes an intelligent run away from Ayala and Coutinho spots him. The midfielder puts too much on the pass though and both men are left frustrated.
79'
Lucas Leiva enters the game and replaces Roberto Firmino.
In what may be his last appearance in a Liverpool shirt, Lucas Leiva makes his way onto the pitch. He replaces compatriot Roberto Firmino.
76'
Daniel Sturridge is looking to get in on the act as he strikes goalwards. His shot is blocked and the ball almost falls into the path of Firmino but Guzan is down sharply to gather the ball to his chest.
75'
Another nervous moment for Liverpool as Calum Chambers mishits a cross which ends up flying goalwards. Mignolet crashes into the crossbar in his efforts to keep the ball out but succeeds in getting his hands on the ball.
Minute
Description
73'
Álvaro Negredo enters the game and replaces R. Gestede.
Daniel Ayala enters the game and replaces Fábio.
... and Gestede gives way for Alvaro Negredo up front.
A double change for Boro as Fabio is replaced by Daniel Ayala...
71'
SAVE! Middlesbrough embark on a rare attack with Adam Forshaw. He looks long for Bamford who makes a half hearted attempt to win the ball, but Milner is by far the more committed. The left-back leaps for the header but ends up nodding the ball towards his own goal. Mignolet is alert to the danger though and makes a smart save to his right.
69'
It is all Liverpool now, with Steve Agnew's men in damage limitation mode. There is no interest from the Boro players in terms of closing down the Liverpool midfield as they sit deep and soak up pressure.
67'
CHANCE! This time it's Wijnaldum who miscues but what a wonderful piece of play from Liverpool. A one-two between Firmino and Lallana put the striker into the Boro box. He picks out Wijnaldum with a delicate chip, but the Dutch international mistimes his volley and the ball squirms away for a goal-kick.
65'
Klopp's side are playing with a lot more freedom and are stringing together increasingly ambitious passes. Wijnaldum looks for a cute flick into the path of Clyne, puts too much on it but is still warmly applauded for his efforts by the fans.
63'
CHANCE! But Firmino fails to take it. Lallana intercepts in midfield and drives Liverpool forwards. He picks out Firmino at the far post, but the Brazillian is reluctant to shoot. he looks to lay the ball back to Wijnaldum but Clayton intercepts to stunt the attack.
60'
CLOSE! The chances are coming thick and fast now. A fine save from Guzan is required to tip a Coutinho effort round the corner.
58'
CHANCE! Boro look to respond instantly as Forshaw latches onto a long ball. The midfielder is one-on-one with Mignolet, and the Belgian does extremely well to get a touch on the ball and keep his clean sheet intact.
56'
R. Gestede gets yellow.
A. Lallana has scored a goal for Liverpool! Assist by G. Wijnaldum.
Assist Georginio Wijnaldum
GOOOAAALL! KLOPP’S LIVERPOOL AT THEIR FINEST! The home side broke with so many numbers from that corner and have made Middlesbrough pay! Lallana’s initial cross is cut out by Fabio, but Liverpool regain possession. Wijnaldum slips the ball back to Lallana and he makes no mistake in adding Liverpool’s third goal. 3-0 Liverpool!
Yellow card Rudy Gestede
54'
Forshaw looks to deliver a cross but sees his strike blocked by Lallana. From the resulting corner Downing whips the ball in but Liverpool clear and are on the counter-attack!
51'
Philippe Coutinho has scored a goal for Liverpool!
GOOAAALLL!!! And it is a very clever strike from Coutinho. The Brazilian starts his run up and sees Guzan begin to scurry behind his wall. The Brazilian alters his body shape and slams the ball at the goalkeepers side of the wall. Guzan is completely stranded and Liverpool have a two goal lead.
49'
Adam Clayton dives in impetuously and catches Daniel Sturridge, leaving Liverpool with a free-kick in a scoring position.
47'
A nasty collision in the Liverpool box between Gestede and Can leaves the German pole axed. The referee calls a halt to proceedings while Can receives treatment.
46'
And the game is back on! Liverpool will be in high spirits now they have opened their account. Can Middlesbrough cause them any problems?
45' +1
G. Wijnaldum has scored a goal for Liverpool! Assist by Roberto Firmino.
GOOOAAALLL!!! AND ANFIELD GOES WILD! An excellent bit of one touch football sees Clyne pick out Firmino who flicks the ball through to Wijnaldum. The Dutchman is one-on-one with Guzan and takes no chances as he leathers the ball into the top right corner.
43'
Patrick Bamford drives into the Liverpool box but he is close to the by-line and has no support, eventually losing the ball to Matip. Boro may be slowly growing into this game.
41'
Stewart Downing puts pressure on Joel Matip who panics and smashes the ball out for a Middlesbrough throw-in. The pressure is beginning to tell.
39'
A nervy moment for Liverpool as George Friend leads a Middlesbrough attack. The full-back plays a one-two with Gestede before finding Clayton in the box. His shot is blocked, but Lovren's clearance is nervous and shanks out for a corner.
36'
Liverpool have had thirteen attempts to Boro’s three, but only four of them have been on target. Firmino takes another pot-shot from the edge of the box, which causes a brief problem for Guzan, but after initially fumbling the goalkeeper gets the ball in his grasps.
34'
Adam Clayton slides in to cut out a pass but inadvertently flicks the ball into Lallana's path. Gibson matches the Liverpool man stride for stride and blocks well to concede the first corner of the game.
32'
CLOSE! Daniel Sturridge pins Fabio before rolling away from the full-back. He has space for the shot but fires narrowly wide of the post. Liverpool are getting closer.
30'
Coutinho has so often been the hero for this Liverpool side, and it is the midfielder who is looking to drag his team in front here. He twists and turns looking for the shooting angle, but drags his shot wide when the opening eventually comes.
28'
Friend carries the ball out of defence for Middlesbrough and releases Bamford. The counter-attack looks to be on as Friend continues his run, but Bamford ignores him and totally misplaces his pass to Gestede. Joel Matip collects and Liverpool are back on the ball.
25'
The atmosphere is becoming notably tenser the longer the score remains level. Adam Lallana puts in a speculative cross which is picked off with ease by Guzan, and there is a hint of a groan from the crowd.
23'
BIG SHOUT FOR A PENALTY! And it is Middlesbrough fans making all the noise. Adam Forshaw chips the ball through to Patrick Bamford who looks to be wrestled to the ground by Dejan Lovren. All eyes on the referee, but Martin Atkinson is having none of it and waves the claims away. Big, big call.
21'
CLOSE! Liverpool look to work an opening and spray the ball around the edge of the box before the ball reaches Can who thunders in a shot from range. Guzan is a spectator and is relieved to see the ball whistle past his far post.
20'
CHANCE! The ball drops to Firmino in the Middlesbrough box but he can't find a way past Friend who blocks well. The ball ricochets out to Wijnaldum who drives goalwards but is denied by a Fabio block.
18'
Boro have their first chance of the match from a Stewart Downing free-kick. The former England International fires the ball into the wall and Liverpool smuggle the ball clear.
16'
Good defending from Ben Gibson, who holds his ground to block Wijnaldum's shot. The Dutchman brought the ball under his spell, but Gibson stood up well to the challenge.
14'
Coutinho again looks to split the Boro defence, this time with a clipped ball over the top. Firmino is quick to take up the chase but he fouls George Friend in his efforts and the pressure is relieved.
11'
Liverpool work the ball well and find Coutinho in space on the left wing. The Brazillian's cross is delivered into a dangerous area but once again Guzan is alert to the danger.
10'
The visitors look happy to keep things solid and steady early in this game and have everyone but Rudy Gestede camped behind the ball.
9'
The news is filtering into Anfield that both Manchester City and Arsenal have taken early leads in their games. As it stands Liverpool are outside of the Champions League places.
7'
Klopp's men are knocking on the door here. This time Firmino spots the run of Sturridge and looks to thread the ball into his strike partner's path. Guzan is alert and quick off his line to snuff out the chance though.
6'
CHANCE! Some wonderful work from Coutinho frees James Milner on the left wing. Middlesbrough fail to clear their lines and the ball drops to Nathaniel Clyne. The right-back sets himself before unleashing his shot, but he fires wide after snatching at the chance.
4'
Philippe Coutinho comes close to unlocking the Boro defence as he dances into space before whipping in his cross. Ben Gibson gets an important flick on the ball, as Daniel Sturridge lay in wait behind him. The home side look eager to settle the nerves and grab an early goal.
2'
A lively start from Liverpool, as Firmino drives forward and takes aim from 25 yards. The Brazillian's shot is on-target but Brad Guzan gets down smartly to gather the ball.
1'
And we're off! Daniel Sturridge gets the game underway with Liverpool kicking from left to right.
Good afternoon and welcome to the final day of the Premier League season, I’m here with LIVE coverage of this afternoon’s clash between Liverpool and Middlesbrough at Anfield.
Liverpool have a place in next season’s Champions League within touching distance, only relegated Middlesbrough stand in their way.
The nerves are very real on Merseyside however, with Liverpool’s current home form at a low ebb and serial Champions League qualifiers Arsenal sat just one point behind Klopp’s men.
In a season that has seen Liverpool emerge as potential title challengers before falling off the pace, Champions League qualification is seen as an absolute necessity by the Anfield faithful.
Middlesbrough head into today’s clash resigned to a life outside of the Premier League next season. There has been little evidence to suggest the Aitor Karanka’s sacking has lifted the mood amongst Boro fans, and there may be a sense amongst the players that today’s fixture against Liverpool is an opportunity to salvage some pride.
The last time Middlesbrough won at Anfield was back in 1976, so the signs all seem to point to a Liverpool win, but stranger things have happened…
Middlesbrough Starting XI (4-3-3): Guzan, Da Silva, Chambers, Gibson, Friend, Leadbitter, Clayton, Forshaw, Bamford, Gestede, Downing
Liverpool Starting XI (4-1-2-1-2): Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Can, Wijnaldum, Coutinho, Lallana, Sturridge, Firmino
The teams are in so let’s take a look starting with hosts Liverpool…
MIddlesbrough Subs:Konstantopoulos, Ayala, Bernardo, Negredo, Fischer, de Roon, Stuani
Liverpool Subs: Karius, Grujic, Klavan, Moreno, Lucas, Origi, Alexander-Arnold
Roberto Firmino has passed a late fitness test and will start up front alongside Daniel Sturridge, relegating Divock Origi to the bench. Rudy Gestede leads the line for Middlesbrough with Negredo dropped to the bench while Grant Leadbitter comes in for Marten de Roon.
The two teams are out on the pitch and kick-off is just moments away...
HALF-TIME: Liverpool 1-0 Middlesbrough
A tense Anfield has had all the pressure relieved by an excellent Wijnaldum goal on the stroke of half-time. The hosts have dominated in terms of possession and territory but appeared to be struggling to break down a disciplined Boro defence. Dejan Lovren's clumsy challenge on Patrick Bamford may have seen the Croatian shown a red card and a penalty awarded, but referee Martin Atkinson deemed that no action was necessary. A perfectly timed goal for Liverpool who now look certain to claim the final Champions League place.
The two sides are emerging from the tunnel and the second half will be underway in a few moments time.
FULL TIME: Liverpool 3-0 Middlesbrough
That is all from me for today and indeed for this season! I hope you've enjoyed the entertainment of the past few months as much as I have! See you next August.
Liverpool canter into next season's champions league with a 3-0 victory over a very conservative Middlesbrough side. The first 45 minutes proved a nervy period for Jurgen Klopp's side, as they huffed and puffed in their attempts to unlock Boro's defence. All the pressure was lifted just before half-time though as Gini Wijnaldum finished off a flowing move with an emphatic finish. The home side added to their tally with a free-kick from Coutinho and an Adam Lallana break away goal in a result that ensures a return to Europe's top table for the Anfield fans next season. Middlesbrough return to the Championship after one season in the top tier and will look to rebuild in a more forgiving league.
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