Liverpool confirmed Champions League football for next season despite being held by Brentford as Anfield waved farewell to club legends Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.
It has been a thoroughly underwhelming season for last season’s Premier League champions and, on an emotional day, once again they failed to hold on after taking the lead.
But, as they said goodbye to two greats, Liverpool at least secured the point they needed to seal fifth spot – and a Champions League place.
The result means Brentford have ended the season with just one win in 10 top-flight games to miss out on qualifying for Europe for the first time.
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All eyes were on Salah and Robertson, who were making their 442nd and 275th appearances respectively, after nine years of service.
Reds boss Arne Slot opted to start Salah despite the winger’s controversial social media post after the defeat at Aston Villa nine days earlier, when the Egyptian appeared to criticise the head coach.
And Salah almost got the dream send-off he wanted when he curled a 19th-minute free-kick around the Brentford wall. Instead of hitting the back of the net, however, the ball hit the post.
Salah did manage the 120th assist of his Liverpool career, teeing up Curtis Jones to score in front of the Kop in the 58th minute.
But Liverpool’s lead lasted little more than five minutes as Kevin Schade, who had earlier been denied by a fine save by the returning Alisson, levelled.
Liverpool survived one or two anxious moments in the second half after Salah was replaced amid emotional scenes in the 74th minute.
Robertson was also given a standing ovation after being substituted in the 83rd minute before Salah returned to the pitch after full-time and looked visibly upset as The Kop sang his name.
(BBC)
