Liverpool secure CL qualification after win over Middlesbrough
Liverpool secured a top-four Premier League finish with an ultimately comfortable victory over Middlesbrough at Anfield.
The Reds defeated their already-relegated opponents 3-0 to finish in fourth place on 76 points, a point clear of Arsenal.
There was clear anxiety during the first half as both the Gunners and third-placed Manchester City took early leads in their games as Jurgen Klopp's side struggled to break down a dogged Boro.
However, Gini Wijnaldum's first-half injury time strike calmed nerves before Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana scored inside 11 minutes after the break to secure victory.
It means Liverpool have qualified for the Champions League play-off round, which will take place in August.
With Roberto Firmino available, Divock Origi dropped to the bench as Klopp kept faith with the diamond formation that served so well at West Ham the previous week.
Early goals for City and Arsenal soon brought into sharp focus that Liverpool couldn't rely on anybody else to get the job done.
The pattern of the game was set from almost the first whistle, as Boro put men behind the ball and invited Liverpool to break them down.
Nathaniel Clyne wasted a good opening when driving a loose ball wide from inside the area, but otherwise shots were either at Boro goalkeeper Brad Guzan or blocked by a defender.
Midway through the half, the Reds were fortunate to escape conceding a penalty when Dejan Lovren tangled with Patrick Bamford following the Croatian's initial mistake.
Coutinho curled wide and Daniel Sturridge likewise, but Liverpool were seriously losing their way as the game entered first-half injury time.
Then came the opener, Clyne's pass flicked by Firmino into the path of Wijnaldum who hammered an angled drive inside Guzan's near post.
The relief inside Anfield was tangible, with Liverpool cutting loose after the break with two goals in 11 minutes.
After Sturridge was fouled 25 yards from goal, Coutinho stepped up to curl a brilliant free-kick beyond Guzan for his 14 goal of the season.
Then, after Middlesbrough forced a rare corner, Liverpool broke at pace and Wijnaldum's lay-off found Lallana who finished expertly into the bottom corner.
Mignolet saved well from Adam Forshaw, but Firmino and Wijnaldum could have made the victory even more emphatic.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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