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Martin Rickett
LIVE BLOG

LIVE: Liverpool v Middlesbrough, Premier League

It’s the final day of the season and the Reds are aiming to secure a place in the top four ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City.
May 21st 2017, 4:52 PM Full-time: Liverpool 3-0 Middlesbrough The Reds finish fourth in the table, and they go into the Champions League qualifying round. Man City are third and Arsenal miss out.
May 21st 2017, 4:14 PM GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Middlesbrough (Adam Lallana)  That’s a third for the Reds. They break in numbers and, although the attack breaks down, the ball isn’t cleared as the Boro defence allow Lallana to find the back of the net.
May 21st 2017, 4:08 PM GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Middlesbrough (Philippe Coutinho) That’s a super free-kick. The Brazilian curls up and over the wall to find the far corner from a set-piece. Surely that’s Liverpool taking their place alongside Man City, Spurs and...

Full-time: Liverpool 3-0 Middlesbrough

The Reds finish fourth in the table, and they go into the Champions League qualifying round. Man City are third and Arsenal miss out.

GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Everton (Aaron Ramsey) 

England U17 international Angel Gomes, who is a cousin of Portuguese international Nani, has just come on for his Man United debut. Wasn’t even born when the club won the treble in 1999…

A couple more goals to keep you up-to-date with — Ben Davies makes it 6-1 to Tottenham and Fernando Llorente hands Swansea a 2-1 lead over West Brom.

Liverpool have just brought Lucas on for Firmino, and this could well be the midfielder’s final appearance for the club as he has been linked with an exit this summer.

Lucas gif

Pedro has just put Chelsea 3-1 up at home to Sunderland. I get the sense that the final 10 minues of this liveblog could be a bit of a non-event, but sure look, there’ll be no Premier League football for the next three months so we’ll make the most of it!

More goals to report in the other games, and there’s a family connection. Jordan Ayew equalises for Swans against West Brom, minutes before brother Andre puts West Ham 2-1 up at Burnley.

There have been three more goals in the meeting of Hull and Spurs with Sam Clucas pulling one back for the Tigers before Victor Wanyama restored the three-goal advantage.

And Kane has just completed his hat-trick to make it 4-1 to the visitors.

At the Bridge, Hazard has put the champions 2-1 up against rock-bottom Sunderland, while Peter Crouch has just become the first player to score 50 Premier League goals with his head.

Stoke lead Southampton 1-0.

Stoke City v Arsenal - Premier League - bet365 Stadium Potters striker Peter Crouch. EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

GOAL! Watford 0-5 Manchester City (Gabriel Jesus) 

It’s turning into a miserable day for the Hornets. Jesus bags his seventh Premier League goal in 10 appearances since joining back in January.

GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Everton (Romelu Lukaku) 

The Toffees have one back. Monreal is penalised for handling the ball, and Lukaku scores from the spot-kick.

GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Middlesbrough (Adam Lallana) 

That’s a third for the Reds. They break in numbers and, although the attack breaks down, the ball isn’t cleared as the Boro defence allow Lallana to find the back of the net.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Middlesbrough (Philippe Coutinho)

That’s a super free-kick. The Brazilian curls up and over the wall to find the far corner from a set-piece. Surely that’s Liverpool taking their place alongside Man City, Spurs and Chelsea in the top four now.

Second half – We’re back underway on Merseyside.

Liverpool v Middlesbrough - Premier League - Anfield Daniel Sturridge in possession. Peter Byrne Peter Byrne

Half-times: The whistles have gone around the grounds. If they were to finish this way, it would be Man City in third, Liverpool fourth and Arsenal missing out on the Champions League for the first team in the Wenger era.

PL ht 21 May

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Middlesbrough (Georginio Wijnaldum)

They have their goal, and right on the stroke of half-time! Wijnaldum plays a one-two before smashing the ball past Guzan.

GOAL! Watford 0-4 Manchester City (Fernandinho) 

There’s another one for Guardiola’s men. Like I was saying, the Watford players are already on the beach.

GOAL! Watford 0-3 Manchester City (Sergio Aguero) 

That’s two for the Argentine hitman today. This could be double figures by 4.50pm.

At Stamford Bridge, John Terry has been substituted for Gary Cahill after just 26 minutes. In the middle of the game, the Chelsea players line up for a guard of honour as he walks off the pitch.

He’s been a super servant for the club, but dear God, that’s cringeworthy.

GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Everton (Alexis Sanchez) 

The Gunners double their advantage on 27 minutes through their top scorer. Liverpool are going to need a goal today.

GOAL! Watford 0-2 Manchester City (Sergio Aguero) 

City double their advantage. A pass from De Bruyne cuts Watford’s defence open and Aguero makes no mistake. They’re looking good for third place at the moment.

Penalty shout! And it’s at Anfield. Bamford goes down in the box under pressure from Lovren but referee Martin Atkinson waves appeals away.

Pogba puts Man United 2-0 up at Old Trafford. It’s the Frenchman’s fifth league goal of the season.

Back at Anfield, Liverpool continue to knock on the door but they’ve yet to break the deadlock. The latest action has seen a shot from Firmino blocked down.

Debut goal! 21-year-old Josh Harrop has capped his first competitive appearance for Man United’s senior side by putting them 1-0 against Crystal Palace.

Red card! Bad news for Arsenal, who are down to 10 men. Koscielny is handed his marching orders after a bad tackle on Valencia.

Make that 28 Premier League goals for Kane! The England striker adds a second in a matter of minutes.

Harry Kane, currently leading the race for the Golden Boot, has just scored his 27th Premier League goal of the season — putting Spurs 1-0 against Hull. Next behind him is Romelu Lukaku on 24.

Another big goal — Arsenal lead Everton through Hector Bellerin’s opener. Hope for the Gunners. As it stands, Liverpool would miss out on the Champions League. There’s plenty of time to turn things around, though.

It’s been all Liverpool so far, as you might expect. Milner goes down the left and puts a ball into the box. Fellow full-back Clyne has got himself forward, and drills a shot off target. It clips the leg of Chambers on the way out.

Elsewhere, there have been early goals for Sunderland, Bournemouth, and most importantly, Manchester City — Vincent Kompany after five minutes.

Kick-off — And there’s an early shot as Firmino has a pop at goal in the first minute. Brad Guzan gets down to make a routine save.

You’ll Never Walk Alone rings out as the sides prepare to kick off. Liverpool are wearing their new home kit today, and it’s a particularly nice one.

LFC new kit 1 Sky Sports Sky Sports

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has given John Terry the chance to say farewell to Stamford Bridge this afternoon. The club legend is leaving at the end of the season and starts at home to Sunderland.

That also means he won’t have to strip off his tracksuit at full-time to lift the Premier League trophy in full kit.

John Terry Highs and Lows Adam Davy Adam Davy

Over at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho has handed full debuts to goalkeeper Joel Pereira, full-back Demetri Michell and midfield paid Scott McTominay and Josh Harrop for their meeting with Crystal Palace.

Manchester United: Pereira, Fosu-Mensah, Bailly, Jones, Mitchell, McTominay, Tuanzebe, Pogba, Lingardm Harrop, Rooney.

Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Ward, Kelly, Tomkins, Schlupp, McArthur, Milivojevic, Puncheon, Zaha, C Benteke, van Aanholt.

The teams are in:

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino, Sturridge.

Middlesbrough:Guzan, Fabio, Chambers, Gibson, Friend, Clayton, Leadbitter, Forshaw, Downing, Bamford, Gestede.

 

Arsenal: Cech, Holding, Koscielny, Gabriel, Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Monreal, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck.

Everton: Robles, Holgate, Jagielka, Williams, Baines, Gueye, Schneiderlin, Davies, Valencia, Mirallas, Lukaku.

 

Watford: Gomes; Janmaat, Behrami, Holebas; Amrabat, Cleverley, Doucouré, Capoue, Mason; Niang, Okaka.

Manchester City: Caballero, Clichy, Kompany, Otamendi, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Toure, Sane, Silva, Gabriel Jesus, Aguero.

Here’s how the standings look going into the games. A draw Man City would be enough for them, while Liverpool can guarantee their qualification with a victory.

Arsenal, currently outside the top four, must win and hope for results from elsewhere to go their way.

PL table 21 May

It’s quite unlikely to occur but there is also a chance that the Champions League places could be decided by a play-off.

Third, fourth and fifth positions will be split between Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, that much is certain. But with all three sides closely matched in terms of points, goal difference and goals scored, a play-off for third or fourth isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

Head-to-head records don’t count so if the above three variables finish up even between two of the three sides, a play-off game at a neutral venue will take place to decide who finishes where.

With one round of Premier League matches to play, the easiest way to get your head around it is first of all by seeing how things currently stand.

 

  • 3. Manchester City P- 37, W- 22, D- 9, L- 6, F- 75, A- 39, GD – (+36), Pts 75
  • 4. Liverpool             P- 37, W- 21, D- 10, L- 6, F- 75, A- 42, GD – (+33), Pts 73
  • 5. Arsenal                 P- 37, W- 22, D- 6, L- 9, F- 74, A- 43, GD – (+31), Pts 72

 

Saturday’s fixtures involving the above teams are: Watford v Manchester City, Liverpool v Middlesbrough and Arsenal v Everton and depending on how those results go there are three possible play-off scenarios, where two teams would finish tied on points, goal difference and goals scored.

A play-off for the fourth and final Champions League spot could eventualise between Liverpool and Arsenal, while Manchester City could face Liverpool in a play-off for third place, the winner of which would advance directly to the main draw of the premier European competition, the loser heading for the qualifying route.

To add to the confusion, City could also face Arsenal in a Champions League play-off for third or fourth spot, depending on how Liverpool get on against Boro.

Play-off scenario 1 – Man City v Liverpool (third place play-off)

 

  • 3. Manchester City P- 37, W- 22, D- 9, L- 6, F- 75, A- 39, GD – (+36), Pts 75
  • 4. Liverpool             P- 37, W- 21, D- 10, L- 6, F- 75, A- 42, GD – (+33), Pts 73

 

For Liverpool and Man City to finish level on all fronts, Jurgen Klopp’s side need to win convincingly against relegated Boro at Anfield, while Guardiola’s charges would need a high score draw at Watford.

Liverpool need to win by three goals, and Man City would need to match the number of goals scored by the Reds. For example — Liverpool 3 Middlebrough 0 and Watford 3 Man City 3 or Liverpool 4 Middlesbrough 1 and Watford 4 Man City 4 etc.

In this scenario — win, lose or draw — Arsenal would finish fifth.

Play-off scenario 2 – Liverpool v Arsenal (fourth place play-off)

 

  • 4. Liverpool             P- 37, W- 21, D- 10, L- 6, F- 75, A- 42, GD – (+33), Pts 73
  • 5. Arsenal                 P- 37, W- 22, D- 6, L- 9, F- 74, A- 43, GD – (+31), Pts 72

 

If Arsenal grab a score draw at home to Everton and Liverpool lose to Middlesbrough by two goals (scoring once less than the Gunners) they will find themselves level in fourth spot; tied on points, goal difference and goals scored. Man City would finish third.

So, Arsenal 1 Everton 1 and Liverpool 0 Middlebrough 2; or Arsenal 2 Everton 2 and Liverpool 1 Middlebrough 3 would level things out between the sides, and so on.

Clear as mud? Good, because the permutations aren’t done yet.

Play-off scenario 3 – Man City v Arsenal (third or fourth place play-off)

 

  • 3. Manchester City P- 37, W- 22, D- 9, L- 6, F- 75, A- 39, GD – (+36), Pts 75
  • 4. Liverpool             P- 37, W- 21, D- 10, L- 6, F- 75, A- 42, GD – (+33), Pts 73
  • 5. Arsenal                 P- 37, W- 22, D- 6, L- 9, F- 74, A- 43, GD – (+31), Pts 72

 

Manchester City and Arsenal can finish level on points this weekend if Guardiola’s side lose at Watford and the Gunners beat Everton at the Emirates.

However, if they are to finish level on goal difference and goals scored City will need to lose to the Hornets by four goals, and Arsenal will need to beat Everton by one goal, scoring just once more than City do. For example: Watford 4 Manchester City 0 and Arsenal 1 Everton 0 would do it, as would Watford 5 Manchester City 1 and Arsenal 2 Everton 1.

If Arsenal and City were to finish level on all the variables, Liverpool’s result could dictate whether their play-off would be for third or fourth place.

A Reds loss, Arsenal win and City defeat would see Liverpool drop down to fifth, meaning a potential play-off would decide third and fourth.

However, if Arsenal and City were to finish the season deadlocked and Liverpool were to win, the Gunners and the Sky Blues would be battling it out for the fourth and final Champions League spot.

WE’RE DOWN TO the last round of fixtures in the 2016/17 Premier League campaign, and, quite frankly, there isn’t a huge amount to get excited about.

Chelsea are champions, Tottenham have secured the runners-up spot and we know the three club that will be playing in England’s next tier next season — Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Hull City.

That leaves us with the race for top four, with Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal in a three-way battle for the remaining two Champions League places.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on the visit of Middlesbrough to Anfield, while bringing updates from the Emirates — where Arsenal entertain Everton — and Man City’s away trip to Vicarage Road to face Watford.

Kick-off in all 10 matches is 3pm.

PL 21 May

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