Liverpool v Middlesbrough: Live matchday blog
Liverpool finished the 2016-17 season with a 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Anfield to secure a top-four finish and a place in next term's Champions League qualifiers.
Goals from Georginio Wijnaldum, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana clinched the points, with the Reds ending the campaign with a tally of 76.
The manager's verdict
38 games, 76 points, a top-four place.
Click here to read what Jürgen Klopp had to say after Liverpool finished their season with an important 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Anfield.
Here's how the table for 2016-17 has finished...
The story of a pleasing final day of the 2016-17 campaign in Opta widgets...
Full Time
Job done!
Liverpool seal a fourth-place finish in the Premier League - and with it, a place in next season's Champions League qualifiers - with a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough at Anfield on the final day of the season.
Georginio Wijnaldum's first-half stoppage-time opener was added to by strikes from Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana to put the seal on a good afternoon's work for the Reds.
Substitution
Our last change sees Alberto Moreno replace James Milner.
The crowd are baying for Lucas to shoot every time he touches the ball. A goal from him would really take the roof off.
Substitution
Second Liverpool change and Divock Origi is on for Daniel Sturridge.
A chance for Boro as Forshaw slides an effort just wide from close range
Substitution
Lucas Leiva comes on for Liverpool, replacing Roberto Firmino, and Anfield stands to applaud him.
Substitution
Double Boro change - Gestede and Fabio off, Negredo and Ayala on.
Sturridge is inches away with an excellent curling effort from just outside the box.
Lallana has a shot that deflects and loops up into the gloves of Guzan.
Liverpool open Boro up with ease but Wijnaldum slices his half-volley wide from 10 yards out. Unlucky.
The Kop is chanting the name of Xabi Alonso following his retirement from football yesterday.
Scenes
Goal
GOAL! ADAM LALLANA!
And now it is 3-0 as Liverpool break at speed from a Middlesbrough corner. Lallana's initial attempt at a cross to Sturridge is cut out, but the ball works its way back to the England playmaker. He controls, moves in on goal and slots beyond Guzan.
Anfield, once again, explodes with noise.
It's almost 3-0 as Firmino's control and volley looks destined for the back of the net, but Friend makes a fine block to deny him.
Goal
GOAL! PHILIPPE COUTINHO!
Yes! Just what we all wanted; Coutinho steps up and bends a free-kick across goal and into the bottom corner from 25 yards out.
Brilliant stuff from the Little Magician once more
We're back under way...
...as Middlesbrough restart the game.
Get in, Gini!
As it stands...
The story of the first half in numbers...
Half Time
Halfway there...
Wijnaldum's late first-half goal has given Liverpool a 1-0 lead over Middlesbrough at the break.
Goal
GOAL! GINI WIJNALDUM!
The Reds are in front and Anfield erupts in celebration.
In first-half stoppage-time, Firmino's clever ball around the corner rolls into the path of Wijnaldum's run. He controls, moves in on goal and hammers it inside the near post.
Get. In.
More danger from Boro as Lovren is needed to put his body in the way of a shot from Bamford inside the area.
Another attempt on goal from the Reds as they break forward quickly, but Lallana's strike bounces into the grasp of Guzan at his near post.
Neat turn from Sturridge in the box before he strikes wide of the post.
Both Manchester City and Arsenal now lead 2-0 in their respective games.
Coutinho shimmies into space on the edge of the area in trademark style before arching a shot wide of the base of the post.
Gestede rises and glances a header wide of Mignolet's far post.
Now Coutinho stings the palms of Guzan with a drive from range.
Can steps into space on the edge of the area before shooting just over.
Seconds later, Boro break and Bamford goes down under Lovren's challenge inside the box but play is waved on.
Now it's Firmino's turn to have an effort blocked by a defender inside the area after Coutinho's free-kick fell for him.
Downing fires a free-kick towards Liverpool's goal, but it strikes the wall.
Match shot
Wijnaldum spins and shoots inside the box, but it's blocked by Chambers.
Elsewhere, Manchester City are leading 1-0 at Watford and Arsenal have just scored against Everton at the Emirates.
The Reds simply need to win here.
Firmino almost slides Sturridge through on goal, but it's just a touch too far in front of the striker.
Liverpool have started well here.
The ball drops for Clyne inside the box, he takes a touch before drilling a half-volley wide of the post.
Coutinho swirls a cross into the box from the right, which is travelling towards an unmarked Daniel Sturridge until Gibson intervenes and clears.
There are just 20 seconds gone when Firmino has a go from long range, forcing Guzan into a low save.
A earl sign of intent from the Reds?
Kick-Off
We're under way...
...come on you Reds!
One of the finest renditions of You'll Never Walk Alone is currently bellowing around Anfield. We're just moments away from kick-off.
It's almost time...
Not long to go...
A reminder of today's line-ups...
Inside the dressing room...
...Liverpool's brand new 2017-18 New Balance home kit is laid out ahead of the players wearing it for the first time. You can get your hands on it - and our new training range - in our online store.
Liverpool team in full: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Milner, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino, Sturridge.
Substitutes: Karius, Moreno, Klavan, Alexander-Arnold, Lucas, Grujic, Origi.
TEAM NEWS
Roberto Firmino is fit to start at Anfield, in the only change made by the manager.
Gini Wijnaldum is on pre-match media duties today...
The stage is set...
The buzz is building...
Activity is now getting under way at Anfield in the lead up to kick-off. Stay right here for the latest from the stadium, including confirmed team news from the Reds dressing room at 2pm BST.
What the stats say
Without tempting fate, the pre-match facts and figures give cause for optimism...
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last 10 league meetings with Middlesbrough
- The Reds are unbeaten in the past 21 top-flight home games against the north east side
- Divock Origi in line for 50th PL game; Klopp could reach 50 wins as manager
Fowler makes history?
And over in Shanghai, the LFC World event currently taking place might have included a piece of LFC history.
After netting in a five-a-side game alongside John Barnes, Luis Garcia and Sami Hyypia, it was claimed by Robbie Fowler that he is the first to score officially in the club's new home kit.
See for yourself...
Legends around the world
While all eyes are of course on Anfield, a number of Reds greats are across the globe this weekend, with Craig Johnston, Gary McAllister and Jason McAteer in Sydney ahead of the first team's post-season friendly next Wednesday.
Today the trio were offering tips to young footballers at a Soccer School...
View from the opposition
Former Reds winger Stewart Downing spoke to us ahead of today's game, revealing why there is no chance Boro will come to Anfield with anything other than a desire to win the match.
Click here to read the Q&A.
Preparations at Melwood
A behind-the-scenes glimpse of Liverpool's training session on Friday...
Events elsewhere...
... will be ignored by Liverpool's players, insists Simon Mignolet.
"We will only be thinking about our game. We know if we win our game, all the rest goes out of the window. We just have to play our game and show that we want it, together with the fans at Anfield who can give us that extra edge for getting the victory."
Today's programme cover
A nod to LFC's new 125th anniversary 2017-18 home kit on the front cover for this one...
Weather
An important day demands a prompt Liverpoolfc.com weather update, and we're only too happy to oblige.
It's a bright morning on Merseyside and the forecast suggests that won't change, with temperatures likely to reach 17 or 18 degrees around kick-off. Perhaps leave the jacket at home.
The last meeting
Liverpool were in fine form when these two sides last met, back in December, claiming a 3-0 victory in the north east. Here's a quick look again at what happened that night...
The guide from the gaffer
Amid all of his media duties during the past few days, Jürgen Klopp provided a message directly to Reds fans when he spoke to Liverpoolfc.com.
And it's difficult not to be inspired by his words...
"If somebody comes to you and says 'but if…' - and that's not the most used words in and around Liverpool - but if, then send him out, say 'come on, go away, I don't want to hear about it'.
"There's no reason for it. This team has shown so much this season and we will be ready for this game, and we should really be positive and try to enjoy the game."
Fantastic final days
If you're suffering from any nerves ahead of kick-off (understandable!) then the video below might prove soothing. It features 10 of our best goals from previous final-day games in the Premier League era...
Tale of the tape
Explore the stats behind each team's Premier League performances this season, collectively and individually, with our Opta tools below...
2016-17 2016-17
The situation
Where else to start but with a quick reminder of how things stand in the Premier League?
The battle for third and fourth involves the Reds, Manchester City (away at Watford) and Arsenal (home to Everton). As you can see in the table below, it's tight - but it can be straightforward with a win over Boro...
If you'd like to know all of the possible permutations, click here.
Here we go...
Hello and welcome. It has all come down to this.
37 Premier League games have brought Liverpool to a simple scenario: beat Middlesbrough at Anfield this afternoon and the Reds will claim a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League.
It's a day of opportunity and we'll keep you updated at every step right here in our live matchday blog.