Since the start of March, Manchester City, Manchester United, Stoke, Borussia Dortmund and Everton have all been hosted by Liverpool and overshadowed by them.
Under the lights on Wednesday night, Chelsea refused to increase the list of Anfield’s recent victims, but they couldn’t hold on for maximum points. Christian Benteke headed in on 92 minutes to cancel out a dazzling goal from Eden Hazard in the penultimate league fixture of the season, but the final one for the Reds on their own turf.
It was Jurgen Klopp’s 50th encounter in charge of Liverpool following his appointment in October, and he reached the milestone in just 217 days - faster than any manager in the club’s history.
He didn’t receive maximum points to mark the occasion, but he did get one of his early requests fulfilled. Exactly a month after succeeding Brendan Rodgers, the German demanded his side push until the final whistle if they’re in need of a goal following a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace. “We decide when it’s over,” he said authoritatively, and Liverpool did just that, continually asking questions of Asmir Begovic until the Belgian bagged the equaliser.
The Reds’ starting XI, expected to be the same one that kicks off the Europa League final against Sevilla on May 18, began brightly enough but dimmed as the first half wore on.
Perhaps they were reluctant to jeopardise their place in the final, especially in light of Liverpool’s atrocious luck with injuries this season. Their usual enthusiasm to get stuck in was replaced with standing off, which encouraged Hazard to treat five markers as though they were invisible as he fired in the opener.
The goal, an outrageously good solo effort which was sweetly placed into the bottom corner, had been against the run of play. Liverpool dominated the first half-hour, with Philippe Coutinho having a shot saved before another was blocked, and Dejan Lovren watching his header drift wide.
On 32 minutes, Hazard remembered he still possessed the powers that made him 2014-15’s Player of the Season as he injected some effervescence into a fixture that usually produces plenty of edge, but felt simply like an end-of-season sleepwalk at times.
There were sizeable gaps of empty seats in the away end and for the final Anfield game of the season, Liverpool’s support was largely underwhelming. Perhaps, like the players, they too were saving their best for the continental showdown a week from now.
Next season, the stadium will look markedly different when the new Main Stand is unveiled, and those who fill the terraces will be hoping the team’s league form will be upgraded too.
The fans stationed to the left of The Kop wanted a keepsake of their current surroundings, and the final whistle was met with the sound of clattering as they ripped off seats to take as souvenirs.
An announcement over the tannoy warned that theft is a criminal offence, but Main Stand seats were still being stuffed into jackets.
Liverpool had stolen points off Chelsea and supporters similarly wanted to appropriate their memories in the area set for summer redevelopment.
There is just one more game for the Reds to navigate - West Brom away - before they get their shot at European glory. The countdown to Basel continues.
- Goal