Liverpool missed out on Europa League qualification after they were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa at Villa Park on the final day of the Barclays Premier League season on Sunday.
Stewart Downing claimed the game's only goal on 33 minutes, finding the target with a powerful close-range volley after the Reds failed to deal with Marc Albrighton's deep cross to the back post.
The defeat, coupled with Tottenham Hotspurs' 2-1 win against Birmingham City, means Liverpool end the campaign in sixth position and will not be playing European football next season.
Kenny Dalglish's side went into the contest knowing their European aspirations hinged on results elsewhere - a Spurs victory over the Blues at White Hart Lane would seal fifth place in the Barclays Premier League.
However, if the Reds were able to better the outcome of Spurs' clash, it would be them enjoying continental football in 2011-12.
Liverpool made three changes from the team that was beaten by Harry Redknapp's men last time out, with Joe Cole joining fit-again duo Raul Meireles and Fabio Aurelio in the starting XI to replace Andy Carroll, Maxi Rodriguez and Glen Johnson.
There was a youthful look to the Reds' substitutes with four teenagers making up the seven, including Andre Wisdom on the bench for the first time in the Barclays Premier League.
In the pre-match build up, Dalglish had been eager to stress the importance of his players ensuring they focused only on the outcome of their final day clash with Villa, rather than concerning themselves with events in north London.
The game got underway with the travelling support chanting the names of the convalescing Villa boss Gerard Houllier and temporary gaffer Gary McAllister - both of whom were instrumental as manager and player in Liverpool's unforgettable treble-winning success of 2001. [Read more…]
Liverpool finished off in 6th and missed out on an European place next season. Leave your thoughts in the comment box.
Sources: Video courtesy of FootyTube.com and match report from LiverpoolFC.tv
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