Liverpool loss puts rival Man U back in Champions League

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND — Carrying one daughter on his shoulders and with his two others by his side, Steven Gerrard circled the field inside Anfield and received the acclaim of his adoring Liverpool fans one last time.

Red-and-white scarves were thrown in front of him. He was serenaded with songs. Teammates past and present followed him around, all wearing jerseys with “Gerrard 8” on the back and were careful to keep their distance, letting a club icon savour the moment.

It was the end of an era at Anfield on Saturday as Gerrard played his final home match in the red of Liverpool he has represented with distinction for 17 years. The game ended in a 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace, but that didn’t really matter to Liverpool’s fans. Saturday was all about saying farewell to arguably the club’s greatest ever player.

There were no tears from Gerrard — just from his three-year-old daughter Lourdes and probably many inside the ground on an emotionally charged evening.

“These supporters here stand out more than any,” Gerrard said in his final words to the crowd of 44,673. “I’ve played in front of most supporters around the world, but you are the best.”

Gerrard played all 90 minutes in his 709th and next-to-last game for his hometown team, but couldn’t conjure up one final moment of brilliance at a stadium he has illuminated so many times. Instead, the 34-year-old former England captain produced a fairly lowkey display in a game that ended Liverpool’s slim hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. Manchester United — Liverpool’s great rival — has qualified instead. United will be the league’s fourth representative in Europe’s top competition next season alongside Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal.