Departing Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s final appearance at Anfield ended in disappointment as his side lost 1-3 at the hands of Crystal Palace.
Adam Lallana put Liverpool ahead after latching onto a mispass by former Liverpool player Martin Kelly but goals from Jason Puncheon and substitutes Wilfried Zaha and Glenn Murray ruined the script as Palace ended a four-game losing streak and claimed a first league win at Anfield since 1991.
The defeat ended Liverpool’s slim mathematical hope of Champions League qualification ahead of their final game at Stoke City, but that was of minor concern on a day that belonged to their beloved, home-grown captain.
Several former Liverpool greats were among the 44,673 people in attendance, as well as ex-manager Gerard Houllier, who handed an 18-year-old Gerrard his debut as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers in November 1998.
Players from both sides formed a guard of honour as Gerrard took to the pitch accompanied by his daughters Lourdes, Lexie and Lilly-Ella, while fans in the Kop and Centenary Stand formed mosaics in his honour.
With Liverpool realistically unable to qualify for the Champions League and Palace safe from relegation, the sense of occasion diminished the moment the match began.
Althpough this was a game Anfield will remember for the long serving captain, It was Jordan Henderson spraying the raking crossfield balls and making driving runs into the area, his midfield colleague restricted to dropping deep and knitting play together with easy lay-offs.
Adam Lallana scored in the 26th minute as a result of Liverpool’s high pressing , which forced Martin Kelly to mishit a pass to Scott Dann and Lallana took full advantage.
Jason Puncheon equalised in the 43rd minute through a brilliantly taken free-kick, which left Simon Mignolet stranded.
Wilfred Zaha scored with his first touch,although the goal looked controversial as replays suggested Zaha had drifted to an offside position.
Gerrard had scored in his previous two games and with manager Brendan Rodgers moving him further forward, he had chances to equalise, testing Hennessey with a low shot and curling a free-kick over the bar but after Bolasie had hit the bar, Palace won a penalty despite Lucas Leiva’s trip on Zaha occurring outside the box and although Mignolet parried Murray’s spot-kick, he scored at the second attempt.
