Liverpool -5 Ispwich Town -0: Amid the riotous celebration engulfing most of this arena on the final whistle, rare indecision gripped Liverpool's players. For the first time that afternoon, Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz exchanged quizzical glances: should the lap of honour really begin in front of the distraught visiting supporters? The applause that duly erupted among those clad in blue, encamped despondently in the Anfield Road end and coming to terms with relegation, made up their minds. Even in this pocket of despair surrounded by delirium, Liverpool's achievements this season warranted recognition.
Gerard Houllier virtually skipped his lap, all red cheeks and triumphant smile. This may have been a trophyless term - the Charity Shield and European Super Cup hardly count - but the second place secured on Saturday was Liverpool's highest ever Premiership finish, with the same points tally that won Manchester United the title last term.
"I can see a big push coming from here next season," said Gary McAllister, who ended his Liverpool career with a late cameo. "When a team accumulates 80 points and people still say they haven't played well, you have to wonder what they might achieve if they do play well. When you consider everything that's happened it's been a great achievement."
George Burley's side arrived mentally prepared for the drop, a solitary win since Liverpool trounced them 6-0 at Portman Road 13 games ago suggesting they had little chance. The heady memories of a UEFA Cup first-leg victory over Internazionale have already faded, the team's focus dimmed and its balance toppled by the signings demanded by last season's fifth-place finish.
Now less grandiose venues than the San Siro await, though at least there is hope. "We have been victims of our own success," insisted chairman David Sheepshanks, who will stand by his manager of seven years. "Our eyes were on Europe back in August and we never identified a realistic target for this season. The consolation is that we are stronger now than we have ever been before. Our target has to be to win the First Division."
Players bought with the UEFA Cup in mind will be moved on, with Matteo Sereni and Finidi George leading the exodus. "It wasn't easy to assimilate those bought with Europe in mind into the cohesive unit that we had," added Sheepshanks. "We invested £15m in transfer fees and wages yet we have not improved."
Once John Arne Riise's thumping opener had flown beyond Andy Marshall, Liverpool ran riot with Vladimir Smicer picking up possession in his own half and cutting the visitors to shreds with a searing run through the middle. His charge was cut short illegally by Mark Venus's crunching tackle, but the loose ball was thrashed across Marshall and in by Riise.
Martijn Reuser hit a post, but Titus Bramble's missed clearance and headed back-pass, as panicked as it was slack, allowed Michael Owen to lob in a third 46 seconds after half-time. Smicer waltzed beyond Hermann Hreidarsson and Venus to spear a fourth with Nicolas Anelka stroking home his fifth and possibly last Liverpool goal at the death.
Yet the biggest cheer was awarded to McAllister, the free transfer gamble who inspired last year's UEFA Cup success. The Scot was hoisted on to team-mates' shoulders at the end as the wags in the Kop chanted: "What a waste of money." "That sort of ovation is usually reserved for proper Liverpool legends," he added. "Maybe I've made more of an impact than I'd thought."
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Xavier (Anelka 84), Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher, Murphy (McAllister 82), Gerrard (Smicer 33), Hamann, Riise, Heskey, Owen. Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Vignal. Goals: Riise 13, 35, Owen 46, Smicer 57, Anelka 88.
IPSWICH: Marshall, Bramble, McGreal (Wilnis 39), Hreidarsson, Venus, Reuser, Holland, Tommy Miller, Clapham, Darren Bent (Stewart 69), Marcus Bent (Armstrong 82). Subs Not Used: Sereni, Peralta.
Referee: S Dunn
