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Liverpool come from behind to seal bitter-sweet victory over Newcastle Liverpool come from behind to seal bittersweet victory over Newcastle
(about 1 hour later)
Liverpool ended the season with a fightback of their own; 101 goals, 16 wins from 19 home games and 84 points but no precious number 19. That dream was interrupted by Chelsea at Anfield a fortnight ago and shattered at Selhurst Park last Monday. A recovery to beat Newcastle United on the final day confirmed why Brendan Rodgers feels such pride in this campaign but it was rendered academic by Manchester City's title triumph at the Etihad Stadium. Brendan Rodgers thumped his chest in pride and responded to the unreserved acclamation of the Kop with applause of his own. If there was regret accompanying Liverpool on their lap of appreciation at Anfield, their manager did well to hide it. "I knew when there was no roar from the crowd during the game that the story was probably elsewhere," he said. "We've just finished short but we will be back again next season." Stronger and undoubtedly wiser for this experience.
Second-half goals from Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge, both from Steven Gerrard free-kicks, inflicted another defeat on Alan Pardew's Newcastle but the home side's lap of appreciation after the game was both richly deserved and tinged with regret. The finale was suitably flat against Newcastle United, the crowd imploring one final push but the Liverpool players lacking the same conviction until Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge converted two Steven Gerrard free-kicks in quick succession. Newcastle lost their discipline and two men to red cards. Liverpool ended the season with 84 points, 101 goals, 16 wins from 19 home games and automatic Champions League qualification secured in thrilling style, yet feel as though they lost far more with those costly slips against Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
For an hour it appeared belief, that precious commodity that can take an age to acquire and vanish on a whim, had taken its leave from Liverpool following that nine-minute collapse at Crystal Palace. Anfield was as loud and supportive as it had been throughout the team's assault on the Premier League title, pushing for one last home win just in case. Liverpool's players, however, appeared not to share that conviction. They were cautious and careless throughout the first half and could have trailed by more than Martin Skrtel's unfortunate own goal by the interval. "I'm absolutely devastated. I can't sugar-coat this," a haunted Gerrard admitted. At 33, the first genuine title challenge of the Liverpool captain's career has been as cruel as it was unexpected. It has also set the bar for next season before the last rites were passed on this campaign. "It was a fantastic season but we need to bounce back and go one better," he added.
The digs and the grievances came early. A plane circled above Anfield before kick-off carrying a banner that read "United 20, Gerrard 0". Newcastle fans showed what they thought of Pardew, in case there was any lingering doubt, in a banner containing one word and four letters. In the interests of taste we will leave that to the imagination. Rodgers is unequivocal that will be the case. Liverpool will strengthen with proven talent, insists a manager with Adam Lallana and Steven Caulker in his sights but conscious of the club's poor track record in that department in recent windows. The Champions League should improve the strike rate at a stroke. It will also increase the workload on a squad that prospered from no European football this season but first place and that elusive 19th league championship is already Rodgers' stated target.
Pardew may have been unimaginative in his tactics as he invited Liverpool on to a five-man defence shielded by a physical four-man midfield but they stifled the home side comfortably before the break. Shola Ameobi, their lone striker, made light of isolation from his team-mates with a tireless and robust performance against Liverpool's maligned defence. He would ruin a fine afternoon's shift with a ridiculous red card that encapsulated Newcastle's ill-disciplined second-half display. "Yes we can make the final step," the Liverpool manager said. "We won't go into next season with doubts. I read a letter to the players on the first day of the season from a supporter about getting into the top four and the pride he has in the club. It said not just to think about fourth but to think about winning (the league). I think at the time the players thought the letter was a bit far-fetched. I read it back to them today and the word that went into the players' minds was the same as at the start of the season. The word is belief. We believe we can be up there challenging next season."
Rodgers confirmed that even at this late stage he does not have a tried and trusted central defensive partnership by recalling Daniel Agger at the expense of Mamadou Sakho following events at Selhurst Park. The home side dominated possession from the start but, as against Chelsea's two buses in their previous Anfield fixture, struggled to find the solutions that Rodgers has conceded will be asked of him more often next season. Rodgers is adamant Liverpool's style will only be enhanced next season, not curtailed at the expense of the defensive authority that was so clearly lacking in the 3-3 draw at Selhurst Park on Monday. At half-time against Newcastle he implored the players not to end their outstanding season "with a whimper". As was the case against Chelsea's two buses a fortnight ago, Liverpool struggled to find solutions against the visitors' 5-4-1 formation, trailed to Skrtel's fourth own goal in one season, a Premier League record, and could have been further behind when Yoan Gouffran raced through only to be denied by Simon Mignolet.
Ameobi had two half chances before Liverpool constructed their first incisive move around the Newcastle area, one that ended with Jordan Henderson appealing in vain for a penalty after a collision with Steven Taylor. And Liverpool did not require a goal at the Etihad Stadium to suspect it was going to be one of those days. Luis Suárez produced a sublime piece of skill to curl a free-kick into Tim Krul's net with the outside of his right foot from near the touchline. Unfortunately for Liverpool's No7 the referee Phil Dowd had not blown his whistle and ordered a retake. That was cleared, and Newcastle promptly broke up to the other end and scored. Their title challenge may have whimpered out but on the final day, with Newcastle losing their composure when referee Phil Dowd awarded the two decisive free-kicks and dismissed Shola Ameobi for dissent, plus substitute Paul Dummett late on for a foul on Luis Suárez, Liverpool responded with character once more. Rodgers' success in building team spirit has been largely overlooked amid his impact on the field but Anfield's appreciation is all-encompassing.
Yoan Gouffran was released into space down the left and sent a dangerous cross towards the near post into Ameobi's run. Skrtel got there first but succeeded only in deflecting the ball beyond Simon Mignolet for his fourth own goal of the season, a Premier League record in a single campaign. Anfield was deflated, the Etihad closer to the title, and it could have been worse for Liverpool when Ameobi released Gouffran behind a static back-line. Mignolet stood his ground and saved the winger's unconvincing effort. "I can understand why there was some scepticism when I first arrived," he admitted. "I replaced Kenny Dalglish and was just aiming to continue his work. It was a total restoration of a club. We wanted to change the playing style, cut the finances and a big wage bill right down and get a playing style that would win games. The supporters had lost a manager who was an iconic figure and got a 39-year-old with one year's experience in the Premier League. I've got no big background as a player in the game. I will always have to prove myself. I've never had the protection of a big career and I still have a long way to go. I am still only 41 and hopefully I'll prove I am worthy of such a great club."
Sturridge squandered a glorious chance to level in the first half but headed Henderson's cross wide from close range. There would have been ample excuse for Liverpool to coast when they received news of City's lead during the interval but they responded impressively in the second half , the introduction of Philippe Coutinho for Joe Allen providing much-needed invention. Rodgers also delivered an impassioned defence of Alan Pardew, asking how "the manager can be blamed when his club hasn't made a permanent signing for 18 months and sold its best player in Yohan Cabaye".The Newcastle manager no doubt appreciated the support and admitted "the club needs to recruit well. We need to give the fans something to hang onto in pre-season."Liverpool, for all the despair of the final fortnight, are already there.
Agger levelled when he turned in Gerrard's free-kick at the far post following a foul on Raheem Sterling by Vurnon Anita. Two minutes later, from an identical free-kick awarded against Cheik Tioté for a foul on Coutinho, Sturridge arrived unmarked at the back post to convert the captain's inviting delivery. Newcastle were crumbling and down to 10 men when Ameobi berated Dowd all the way back to the penalty spot after Sturridge's goal. The striker was shown a yellow card on the centre circle only to continue his rant and receive a red card before Newcastle could resume play. Man of the match Mike Williamson (Newcastle United)
The substitute Paul Dummett became the second Newcastle player dismissed when he lunged into Suárez five minutes after coming on. Despite results elsewhere taking the title out of Liverpool's reach, the finale provided a fitting conclusion to the season for both clubs.