Liverpool 2 Chelsea 2
Liverpool could only draw 2-2 with Chelsea in their 60th match of the season tonight meaning they failed to get the victory which would have clinched Champions League football next season.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink twice struck exceptional goals to cancel another double from Michael Owen, his sixth in a week and 21st for the club this season.
But it just wasn't enough. Liverpool struggled and strained, but they couldn't get that final winner that would have eased all the fears in the Premiership match.
Now they must go to Charlton on the last day of the season - after the FA Cup and UEFA Cup finals - and try to clinch third spot, knowing both Ipswich and Leeds still have a genuine chance of their own to pip Liverpool at the post.
The Kop rose to a team who have reached three cup finals, never before achieved by an English side in the same season, but it all had a hollow ring about it as Chelsea marched off, party poppers and with still work to do themselves on the last day to find their own European destiny.
It was Liverpool who struck with clinical precision after just seven minutes through Owen, his 20th for the club this season and fifth in a week.
Gary McAllister fed Owen on the left, and the little striker found Patrik Berger square before scampering into space to receive the return pass and beat Carlo Cudicini with a neat chip.
Chelsea hit back six minutes later. Hasselbaink was allowed to drive from midfield after Owen had lost possession to Marcel Desailly, and there was still no challenge when the Dutch hitman lashed a fierce low drive from 30 yards that kicked just in front of Sander Westerveld.
The keeper got hands onto the ball and will be furious for allowing it to skid into the bottom corner.
Vladimir Smicer took over from Berger, Liverpool looking for that extra edge. It came on the hour when McAllister's corner from the right caused mayhem. Sami Hyypia smashed a rising shot into the face of John Terry, and the ball broke for Owen to hook powerfully home from inside the six yard box.
But Chelsea wouldn't give it up, and Hasselbaink again pulled them level on 67 minutes, getting in behind Stephane Henchoz to bury an angled drive into the far bottom corner. -AFP