Phew!
Never a team to do things the easy way, Liverpool finally clinched a Champions League qualifying spot on the final day of the season, defeating already-relegated Middlesbrough 3-0.
Whilst the final scoreline was fairly emphatic, the game was in the balance as the Reds survived a strong penalty shout and a couple of other nervy moments in defence in the opening 45 minutes.
Then, right on the stroke of half time, Gini Wijnaldum powered into the box and exquisitely controlled a Roberto Firmino pass, settling nerves across Anfield and beyond, with a thumping drive past a hapless Brad Guzan.
The Anfield crowd had barely had time to finish their half time drinks before a dinked Philippe Coutinho free kick doubled Liverpool’s advantage only six minutes after the break; and Adam Lallana burst into the box to quickly follow that with number three.
With Manchester City defeating Watford 5-0 to ensure third spot, Liverpool’s 3-0 win rendered Arsenal’s 3-1 win over a disinterested Everton team irrelevant and, barring any mishap in the qualifying round in August, will see the Reds gracing Europe’s premier competition for the first time since the 2014-15 season.
Here are our final player ratings of the 2016-17 season:
