Reds miss out on Europe following final day defeat

Liverpool's campaign came to a tame conclusion yesterday as the Reds missed out on European football next season following a disappointing and dull 1-0 defeat at Villa Park. Coupled with Tottenham's 2-1 win over Villa's midlands rivals Birmingham City, that result left Liverpool in 6th position with 58 points, which was insufficient to pip Harry Redknapp's side into 5th place.

Fabio Aurelio, Raul Meireles and Joe Cole all started as the King made three changes to the side that had surrendered so feebly to a 2-0 defeat against Spurs previously, while the Reds' bench encouragingly included youngsters Robinson, Shelvey, Wilson and Wisdom. Meanwhile, Martin Skrtel completed yet another 90 minutes, as the clean-shaven Slovakian astoundingly became one of only two outfield players to play every single Premier League minute this season.

Both Villa and their visitors appeared to be 'on the beach' already though in what was a typically lifeless end of the season encounter. With little riding on the outcome, the match began slowly, as both sides struggled to claim the ascendancy. On 12 minutes Jonjo Shelvey replaced Jay Spearing after the Reds' number 26 had been on the receiving end of an awful lunge from Reo-Coker, before Carragher had to receive treatment following an arm in the face from teammate Lucas Leiva.


Sandwiched in between those two unfortunate collisions were an unthreatening effort from Meireles and a crucial clearance off the line from Ashley Young after Lucas Leiva almost found the net from the Portuguese’s set piece.

The match sparked to some semblance of life moments after the half hour mark when Villa claimed the lead with their first real opening of the half. Exciting English youngster Martin Albrighton pinged an inviting cross to the back post, where reported Liverpool transfer target Stewart Downing crashed home a volley to give the Villains a scarcely deserved lead heading into the interval.

To be brutally honest neither side's performance had warranted a half time lead and injured skipper Steven Gerrard looked on distinctly unimpressed from where he was sitting in the visiting supporters' section.


Ashley Young's audacious effort ricocheted wide of goal five minutes into the second period, however the away side appeared more likely to find the net next, as the disappointing Joe Cole saw his wayward shot fail to test Friedel before the former Liverpool keeper combined effectively with Richard Dunne to thwart the Merseysiders' best opportunity soon after.

A swift counter attack culminated in Suarez squaring the ball to Meireles, who seemed certain to score with an open goal at his mercy. Frustratingly, a despairing dive from Friedel denied the 28-year old and, although there was a suspicion of handball from Richard Dunne, referee Lee Probert refused to point to the spot, with TV replays later proving inconclusive.

With 20 minutes of a fascinating season remaining a flurry of corners came to nothing and Brazilian full back Fabio Aurelio whizzed a free kick wide of target before Suarez skied high over the bar, as Liverpool's chances of Europa League qualification slowly faded. Agbonlahor was inches away from making contact with Bent's driven centre and tapping home after 77 minutes, however apart from that the game petered out to an uninspiring end.

Compared to the thoroughly entertaining, nail biting and dramatic end to the campaign at the bottom of the table, this match was inevitably anti-climatic. Although failing to qualify for the Europa League may prove to be a blessing in disguise as Liverpool can concentrate on domestic affairs and the fans can enjoy a few regular kick off times again, ending the season with two defeats highlights the need to significantly improve the squad over the summer.

Nevertheless, the Reds enter the summer months optimistic thanks to the removal of Hicks and Gillett and the return of the King.

Roll on next season!

YNWA