Steven Gerrard bade farewell to his boyhood club but Liverpool gave him the worst possible send-off as Crystal Palace emerged triumphant, running out 3-1 winners. Sadio Mane registered the fastest Premier League hat-trick, when the Senegalese scored 3 in 2 minutes and 56 seconds, in a 6-1 against Aston Villa. Bayern Munich suffered a 3rd straight Bundesliga defeat, while Borussia Dortmund’s European hopes hit a setback against Wolfsburg.
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It was an emotional day on Merseyside, as Steven Gerrard was set to play his last game in a Liverpool shirt at Anfield. Widely regarded as the greatest Liverpool player ever, Gerrard is set to cross the Atlantic and play for LA Galaxy in the MLS. Stevie G was introduced with a guard of honour and Liverpool got off to a good start, troubling the Palace defence. Adam Lallana scored the opener in the 26 minute when he pounced on a defence error in the Palace half and sprinted towards goal to smash the ball into the top-corner. Yannick Bolasie, one of the wonders of the season, threatened the Liverpool back-three with his swashbuckling dribbling and frightening agility, and the winger won a free-kick at the edge of the 18-yard box, which saw Palace score the equaliser. Jason Puncheon completely fooled Simon Mignolet when he wrong-footed the Belgian shotstopper, to curl the ball into the bottom-right corner.
Photo: Reuters
Perhaps all the sentiments took a toll on the Liverpool players, as the Reds just lost their way in the final third and meaningful chances were scarce. The visitors, on the other hand, weren’t prepared to indulge the emotion-charged celebrations as substitute Wilfreid Zaha scored with his first touch of the ball. The defensive trio were unable to contain Bolasie and the Congolese almost extended the advantage, when hit the crossbar, leaving all three sprawling on the ground. There was no late Stevie G salvation, as Zaha won a penalty in the 90th minute, although replays showed he was felled just outside the 18-yard box. Glenn Murray initially had his penalty saved but the Palace man made no mistake on the rebound, as the visitors deservedly ran out 3-1 winners. Gerrard reemerged from the dressing after full-time to address the home fans, as he was honoured by Gerard Houllier and Ian Ayre. After the presentation, Gerrard joined his teammates, who all donned ‘Gerrard’ jerseys, in a lap of honour before leaving Anfield, probably, for the final time as a player.
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“I am going to miss it so much. I’ve loved every minute of it and I’m absolutely devastated I’m never going to play in front of these supporters again.”
“But most of all, I’d like to thank the fans. These supporters here stand out more than any. I’ve played in front of most supporters around the world, but you are the best.”
Photo: PA
Sadio Mane sent Twitter tumbling when he scored 3 goals within 3 minutes, as Southampton ran riot against Aston Villa. Shane Long also got a couple, while Graziano Pelle finished things off in style. Mane bettered Robbie Fowler’s 21-year record of 4 minutes and 33 seconds for Liverpool, in a humiliation which Villa manager Tim Sherwood dubbed as ‘a rude awakening’. Mane muscled and scampered his way past the Villa defence to score his first, pounced on an abysmal back-pass by Ron Vlaar to make it two and sealed his hat-trick, with a fine first-time shot.
Photo: Reuters
Leicester spectacularly secured Premier League survival, courtesy Hull’s loss at Tottenham and a point won at Sunderland. The Foxes’ away stalemate against ensured their top-flight status, after picking up 19 points from a possible 24, to pull off one of the greatest escapades in Premier League history.
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Hull City are in danger of the drop as Steve Bruce’s men lost 2-0 against Tottenham, but Jake Livermore dominated all post-match discussion. The Hull City midfielder, under extraordinary circumstances, tested positive for cocaine after failing a routine post-match drug test. Manager Steve Bruce was shocked and devastated after the news but the club had no choice but to ban the Englishman. A club statement released on Friday evening said: “Following suspension by the FA the club has subsequently suspended Jake Livermore pending further investigations to be made by the FA and our own internal disciplinary procedures. The club is unable to make any further comment during this process.”
Photo: Lynne Cameron/PA
“We’re all let down, from everybody concerned with the club and everybody concerned with football.” A understandably furious Bruce said. “We’re all let down. But the biggest one he has let down is a blossoming career. He’s let himself down. Being tarnished with that is awful and he’ll have to live with the consequences of that.”
Bayern Munich continued their wretched league form, as the Bavarians lost 2-1 against relegation battlers Freiburg. Schweinsteiger opened the scoring on his 500th appearance for Bayern but things turned sour as the hosts snatched an 89th minute winner, as Pep Guardiola’s men slumped to a third successive Bundesliga defeat. Second-placed Wolfsburg clinched a home win over Borussia Dortmund, as hopes of Europa League are becoming slimmer by the day for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
(Cover Image: Reuters)
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