Back to Europe! Liverpool FC wins puts Reds back in Champions League

Goals from Wijnaldum, Coutinho and Lallana secure European football next season for Liverpool FC.

Tense would be an understatement at Anfield during the first 45 minutes for Liverpool FC fans Sunday.

Not until Gini Wijnaldum found the back of the net in stoppage time of the first half did that tension ease. Liverpool FC picked up two additional goals in the second half to beat Middlesbrough 3-0.

"“It’s a big, big, big relief,” said Jurgen Klopp following the game. “Seventy-six is quite a number and with all the problems we had in January and all the problems we had in February, getting 76 points is big.”"

The win secures a spot in the Champions League for Liverpool — the first time since 2014.

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/866320620463808513

It was lackluster during the first 45 minutes of the game as the Liverpool offense peppered Middlesbrough with shot after shot to no avail. Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino attempted five shots from distance as the Reds pressed for most of the first half.

Frustrations were made even more as Arsenal — down to 10 men — held a 2-0 lead at Liverpool’s mercyside rivals Everton in the first half.

Wijnaldum took a ball in from the right side and put it past American goalkeeper Brad Guzan in first-half stoppage time.

“I took a chance to be fair and not many goalkeepers would think you would go for the far post,” Wijnaldum told LFC TV following the game. “It was a little difficult because the crowd was getting nervous and we were getting nervous.”

Second half press

Following Wijnaldum’s first-half strike at the Kop end, tensions seemed to ease in the second half, but the Reds continued to press.

In the 51^st minute, Coutinho’s efforts paid off after he blasted a free kick from just over 20 yards out from goal past Guzan.

Just five minutes later, Lallana hit pay dirt after a touch from Nathaniel Clyne inside the penalty area. The strike left little doubt of Liverpool’s return to the Champions League.

“I think we got our reward after a long season,” Lallana told LFC TV after the game. “We’re top four now and that was a big goal … hopefully we can compete for some silver next season.

Liverpool’s win also knocked Arsenal out of the top four and out of the Champions League. Manchester United still has a shot at the Champions League as they face Ajax in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

"“These people here deserve European nights,” Klopp said."

“As a player you want to play against the better teams in Europe and now we can do that,” Wijnaldum said. “We couldn’t play for a title, so we wanted to play for Champions League and we succeeded.”

Leiva thanks the Kop

Lucas Leiva celebrated completing 10 seasons with the Reds. After the game, he told LFC TV he was speechless and honored to be a part of Liverpool.

More from Playing for 90

• Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
• Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
• Barcelona put five past Real Betis
• Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
• Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory

“I think it’s been an incredible 10 years,” Leiva said. “I’m so proud to wear this shirt every day of my life.

“This club made me get better as a person … as a player.”

His future is still uncertain, but it is likely this was the last season for the Brazilian.

Now what … busy summer

The Reds will have a busy summer as they will play in the Premier League’s Asia Trophy. Liverpool will have games in Shanghai and Hong Kong July 20 and July 22.

A friendly with Hertha Berlin will in on July 29 followed by the Audi Cup in Munich Aug. 1-2.

Of course, lest we forget about the summer transfer window.

Next: Champions League spoils are huge for Liverpool

The win Sunday may open up a lot of doors with Champions League play coming next season.