Liverpool secured a top-four finish with a resounding 4-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
The Reds came into the game knowing that a defeat could see Chelsea pip them to the fourth and final Champions League spot. Brighton had already secured safety but would have undoubtedly relished the opportunity to play at Anfield.
It was all Liverpool from the start. Jurgen Klopp’s team pressed forward and created a number of early opportunities which were well dealt with by Matt Ryan in the Brighton goal.
Liverpool finally got their opener with 26 minutes gone. The Seagulls failed to clear their lines following a free kick and Dominic Solanke played a neat pass into space for Mohamed Salah, who made no mistake in firing his first-time low shot into the bottom right corner and beyond the reach of Ryan. 1-0 to the home side.
The Reds continued to attack in search of goals and were seemingly creating chances at will and finally got their second five minutes before half-time.
Chris Houghton’s men failed to get the ball clear after a corner kick, it came to Andrew Robertson whose cross found the high rising Dejan Lovren, the defender directed his header into the top corner.
2-0 at the break with Jurgen Klopp’s team well in control.
It did not take the Merseyside club long to find their third. Salah this time turned provider as he skipped past the defender before finding Solanke in the box. The young Englishman did well to fire his shot into the top corner from an acute angle. 3-0 to the home side after 53 minutes.
The home side created a couple of opportunities but failed to add to the scoreline until Robertson got their fourth after 85 minutes. Lewis Dunk’s clearance fell straight to the defender whose powerful shot rifled into the back of the net.
4-0 the final score with Liverpool finishing in fourth, securing a spot in next season’s Champions League in the process.
Other results on the final day of the Premier League:
• Burnley 1-2 Bournemouth
• Crystal Palace 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
• Huddersfield Town 0-1 Arsenal
• Manchester United 1-0 Watford
• Newcastle United 3-0 Chelsea
• Southampton 0-1 Manchester City
• Swansea City 1-2 Stoke City
• Tottenham Hotspurs 5-4 Leicester City
• West Ham United 3-1 Everton
