Liverpool 2 Newcastle 1

Liverpool rounded off their season with a narrow victory over nine-man Newcastle, but it was not enough to end the Anfield side’s 24-year wait for the title.

Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge scored within two minutes of each other to give Liverpool a 2-1 win over Newcastle, who had gone ahead through Martin Skrtel’s fourth own goal of the season.

In the first half Liverpool were well below their best. Newcastle, who had Paul Dummett and Shola Ameobi dismissed, could have been 3-0 up at the break.

But after the restart, Liverpool displayed glimpses of the kind of swashbuckling play that Reds fans and neutrals alike have enjoyed all year.

The Liverpool fans hailed Rodgers at the final whistle and they had every reason to.

After all he is responsible for taking the club from seventh to second within a year.

He is the man who has turned Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Sturridge from average players with potential to top-class performers. 

And he has managed to get the best out of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez.

But a little part of the Liverpool manager must have been thinking “What if” as he stood on the touchline at the final whistle.

What if Steven Gerrard had not slipped here two weeks ago, handing Chelsea their crucial win at Anfield? 

What if his team had not conceded three goals in nine minutes at Crystal Palace last week?

Liverpool have taken huge strides under Rodgers — this is only their second top-two finish in 11 years and there will be Champions League football at Anfield next season.

But the Reds were five points clear with three games left and that will statistic will stick in Rodgers’s mind for quite some time.

A group of Manchester United fans clubbed together to remind Liverpool’s captain about his lack of Premier League silverware.

“United 20 Gerrard 0” read the banner which trailed behind a light aircraft which flew over Anfield at kick-off.