Liverpool 2, Newcastle 1: First Thoughts

Liverpool 2 Agger 63', Sturridge 65'
Newcastle 1 Skrtel (OG) 20'

• Welcome back, Daniel Agger. Welcome back, Jordan Henderson. And speaking of Henderson, there's a decent case to be made that Liverpool lost the title when he picked up a red card late against Manchester City.
  
  
• It was a celebratory mood as Anfield seemed intent on paying tribute to what had been achieved rather than lamenting what might have been. The fans should have had further reason to celebrate in the 19th minute when Luis Suarez looped a quick free kick into the goal only for Phil Dowd to pull it back. A minute later, Newcastle countered and Martin Skrtel redirected a cross past Simon Mignolet. So it goes.
  
  
• Skrtel's own goal and a late first half marker by Sami Nasri at the Etihad saw Liverpool head to the dressing room with both the day's necessary results going against them. Dropping performance levels made it look more than a little like the players knew their season was over, too.
  
  
• An early second half goal at the Etihad for Vincent Kompany signalled the end of Liverpool's faint title hopes, and at Anfield, things didn't look much to be going much better until a 63rd minute goal by Daniel Agger pulled them level. Two minutes later, Daniel Sturridge scored off an almost identical free kick. It was followed almost instantly by a double yellow for Shola Ameobi, and suddenly Liverpool were rampant.
  
  
• Unfortunately it wasn't enough, as Manchester City comfortably saw out their match to end the season champions on 86 points. Liverpool finish second with 84, which manages to stand as both a massive achievement and a crushing disappointment.
  
  
• It's been emotional, y'all. It may be easier said than done, but try to enjoy this season for what it was rather than for what it fell just sort of being.

We'll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at the events of the day with the full recap. Until then, talk about the match—and the season that was—in the comments, and if you haven't already, join the community on the Liverpool Offside.

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