Liverpool vs. Newcastle United: 6 Things We Learned
Liverpool missed out on winning the Premier League title by two points after their final-day 2-1 victory over Newcastle United didn't prove enough to overtake Manchester City.
The Citizens took the glory after they beat West Ham 2-0, but the Reds will still take solace in a winning end to a remarkable season, as strikes from Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge saw them come from behind to beat the Magpies.
A Martin Skrtel own goal had put Alan Pardew's side ahead, but almost identical strikes from Agger and Sturridge following Steven Gerrard free-kicks put Liverpool in front, while red cards for Shola Ameobi and Paul Dummett left Newcastle ending the game with nine men.
Here are six lessons learned from the day the Liverpool title dream ended.
Reds Fall Just Short
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So that's that, then. Liverpool's unlikely attempt at clinching a first league title in 24 years has ended with them finishing second, just two points off Manchester City and ruing the high-profile failings they've experienced in the past fortnight.
The time for a much more studied reflection of what they achieved will come in the future, but in the immediacy of the moment it is impossible to ignore the way in which they've exceeded expectations this season, even if they have ultimately ended up disappointed.
Thoughts will now be turning to a return to the Champions League, the prospect of fresh investment in the squad and the desire to try and have a good go at winning this thing next season, a season which Reds fans probably want to start right away.
Martin Skrtel Epitomised Liverpool's Season
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Martin Skrtel's personal match with himself ended up 7-4 in his and Liverpool's favour, with his seven strikes against the opposition this season beating the four own goals he scored over the campaign.
In many ways, the Slovak has been the face of Liverpool's season.
Seemingly cast out and forgotten about at the beginning of the campaign, he responded by putting in some fine performances and also some poor ones as well, with his devotion to both scoring and conceding goals only adding another madcap element to his team.
He deserves to stick around and return to the Champions League next season, although whether he'll remain first-choice is debatable.
Newcastle Need a Change from the Top Down
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Although this was actually a better display than the ones they have been giving on the road of late, Newcastle lost again and have long since slipped into a tailspin from which it is difficult to recover.
The removal of Alan Pardew as manager would be a start to please the Toon Army fans who again turned up in their vocal numbers to support the team; they must be looking at what has been achieved at Liverpool this season with more than a tinge of jealousy.
They need a complete change at all levels—ownership, manager and players—before they can even consider reaching the Reds' level.
Liverpool's Set Pieces Are Impressive
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For most of the season we've been hearing about Liverpool's attacking football week after week, but their set pieces have also been deadly.
Steven Gerrard's deliveries for Daniels Agger and Sturridge to score their goals were once again right on the money, adding to a list of similar goals across the campaign.
You can bet that England boss Roy Hodgson will be looking to take advantage of Gerrard's crossing at the World Cup in the summer, as it will be a tactic that could serve his side well.
Daniel Sturridge Ends the Season as He Started It
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At most other clubs, the player who scored 24 goals over a campaign would quite rightly be regarded as the star man, but Daniel Sturridge quite often misses out on the limelight at Liverpool because of the superhuman efforts of Luis Suarez.
After starting the season with winning goals against Stoke, Aston Villa and Manchester United, Sturridge ended the campaign in the same manner when he stabbed home the winner just moments after Liverpool had equalised.
He had a truly fantastic campaign, one in which he became recognised as one of Europe's deadliest forwards.
The good news for Liverpool is that he only looks to be getting better.
Tough Decisions Lie Ahead for Brendan Rodgers
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Some of the players included in the matchday squad here are more than likely to never be seen again in a Liverpool shirt, with the likes of Aly Cissokho, Iago Aspas and perhaps even Kolo Toure possibly moving on in the summer, whilst Victor Moses wasn't even on the bench and will be sent back to Chelsea having hardly been used.
The Reds have a small squad, but Brendan Rodgers is likely to make it even smaller before he embarks on a summer recruitment drive which could end up turning this season's second place into next season's first.
The Northern Irishman's summer work will already have started, and it would be no surprise to see Liverpool move quickly to try and wrap up some deals.
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