All We Have To Do Is Beat Boro

Granted, being a Liverpool fan isn't the toughest of tasks, we've had our fair share of glory over the years but even when that glory has arrived, it's never been an easy process has it?!

If the Reds had beaten Southampton earlier this month or managed to beat Bournemouth in April or if they didn't lose to Hull at home in February! Things could have been so different. But they aren't, so here we are on the final day of the season feeling massively nervous about a game that on paper should be a victory for Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp Liverpool Champions League
Image via The Liverpool Echo
There are just three points separating Manchester City in third from Arsenal in fifth meaning a multitude of outcomes could happen on Sunday. City just need to avoid defeat to stay in the Champions League places. Similarly, if Liverpool win their European dreams are alive, a draw could be enough but it's a dangerous line to be treading with Arsenal right behind. The Gunners are very much reliant on results around them to make it into the top four on the final day. 

Of the three fixtures Liverpool have the most favourable facing already relegated Middlesbrough at Anfield. Boro have won just one game out of their last 10 in the league but did manage to pick up a draw against Manchester City. Arsenal welcome Everton to the Emirates but even with a win the Toffees cannot move any higher in the table. Finally, City travel to Watford who have announced this week that Walter Mazzarri will be leaving the club, will the Italian create a last hurrah?

On top of all of this, there is a scenario where two teams could finish the day on exactly the same points and exactly the same goal difference. I must admit, before this week I just presumed that in a case such as this it would just go down to head to head results but apparently not. Apparently we would have to take part in a play off. A play off could occur to determine third place and also fourth place.

So what's our previous with Boro?

The Reds last faced the Teesiders in December last year, it was a confident win for Liverpool who scored three goals thanks to a brace from Adam Lallana and an effort from Divock Origi.

In the last 10 meetings between the two sides there have been four draws, five wins for Liverpool and just the one victory for Boro. That win came in 2009 when Xabi Alonso scored an own goal.

Liverpool have lost just one from their last ten matches in the league, but no matter what the stats say the Reds always seem capable of slipping up. The Reds have done fantastically well this season, it's Klopp's first full one and while there have certainly been some low moments to finish off in the Champions League would be absolutely perfect. 

A place in Europe would allow Liverpool to target the calibre of player they deserve, it would provide Klopp with a further bargaining chip and hopefully we can move on from there.

All we have to do is beat Boro...