Match Reports
Liverpool 5-0 Ipswich Liverpool wrapped up the season in style with a win at Anfield which also proved to be Ipswich's final Premier League game for at least a year, as they were sent crashing into Division One. Ipswich began the game well enough, but it was the home side who took the lead, and John Arne Riise was the man with the opening goal. Riise smashed home a shot from 15 yards out after a build up which involved half a dozen Liverpool players. Ipswich went close almost immediately, with Jerzy Dudek saving from Marcus Bent. But Liverpool soon had further worries as Steve Gerrard was withdrawn from the action, having played little more than half an hour. Gerrard's replacement was Vladimir Smicer, and the Czech had a say on the game after only a couple of minutes on the pitch. After winning the ball and running half the length of the pitch, Smicer was bundled over just outside the box. But the referee played the advantage, as the ball looked to be heading for Riise and without any hesitation, Riise struck a brilliant shot into the far corner of the goal to double the lead. Ipswich again went close to grabbing a goal back straight from the kick off, with Martijn Reuser hitting the post after turning Xavier inside the area. The second half began in much the same way as the first half ended, as Liverpool went searching for more goals and within a minute, they had another. As the Ipswich fans sung 'We're gonna win 3-2!', Michael Owen took advantage of a defensive error by Darren Bent, and hooked the ball over Andy Marshall to make it 3-0. The away fans then changed the song to 'We're gonna win 4-3!', clearly intending to enjoy their day, even if it was a near certainty that their team would find themselves out of the Premier League next season. It was soon four though, and it was turning into a rout. Murphy fed Smicer on the right, and after getting past Herman Hreidarsson rather too easily, Smicer was left with the task of beating the 'keeper from around 10 yards out, and he made no mistake. The next major chances on goal both fell Ipswich's way, firstly with a header from Marcus Bent which was cleared off the line by Smicer. Then, Marcus Stewart was sent clean through on goal, but saw his shot well saved by Dudek. Then came the biggest cheer of the day as Gary McAllister was brought on in his last match for Liverpool. Once on the pitch, almost every touch by Gary Mac was greeted with cheers, and his name was frequently chanted during the remainder of the game. Another player whose name was often heard from the fans during the closing stages of the game was Nicolas Anelka, whose future at the club is still uncertain. Anelka has certainly given the management things to think about though after his recent displays, and he scored his second of the week just a minute after coming on as a sub. Anelka was played in behind the Ipswich defence, and after delaying his shot until he was close to the 'keeper, Anelka finally fired the ball high into the net, with what was the 11th goal that Liverpool have scored past Andy Marshall this season. Both sets of supporters joined in the singing of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' at the end of the match, but it was Liverpool's day, and the job of recording the club's highest Premier League finish was completed. View exclusive photographs from this match! View match pictures from this game!
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