LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s bid to snatch the Premier League title on the final day of the season ended in frustration despite a 2-1 win over nine-man Newcastle on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers’ side needed to beat the Magpies at Anfield and hope West Ham could upset leaders Manchester City at Eastlands if they were to land the English league crown for the first time since 1990.
But, although they came from behind to win, Liverpool were left with an empty feeling as City cruised to a 2-0 victory that guaranteed they would finish two points ahead of the second placed Reds.
In the end, Liverpool were left to rue the costly mistakes that realistically meant their fate had already been sealed by a defeat against Chelsea and a draw at Crystal Palace in their previous two games.
When Newcastle deservedly led with more than an hour gone through Martin Skrtel’s first half own-goal it looked as though Liverpool’s challenge would end in even further anti-climax.
But Rodgers insisted his team should feel nothing but pride from a campaign in which he described their progress as “nothing short of outstanding”.
And Liverpool responded one more time to score twice in as many minutes to sign off with a 16th home win as Newcastle finished in disarray following the double sending-off of Shola Ameobi and Paul Dummett.
Daniel Agger forced home the equaliser and from another Steven Gerrard free-kick Daniel Sturridge tapped home the winner.
Under-fire Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is due to meet club owner Mike Ashley now the season has ended to discuss the future, but at least his troubled team did not follow the anticipated script by meekly surrendering on the final day.
Right from the start they made life difficult for a nervy Liverpool team with lone striker Ameobi carrying an aerial threat.
Liverpool showed none of the early spark that had epitomised many of their previous home successes and although Luis Suarez had the ball in the net after 18 minutes his effort, from a free-kick taken with the ball rolling before referee Phil Dowd had given the go-ahead, was never likely to stand. And within moments Newcastle were in front as Liverpool’s faint title prospects appeared to recede even further. (Agencies)
