Liverpool suffered their worst ever Premier League defeat as they lost 6-1 to Stoke City on the final day of the season.
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Raheem Sterling was dropped to the bench after Rodgers said the winger needed to be taken out of the limelight. The 20 year old has been the subject of intense media speculation about a transfer in the last week. Dejan Lovren and Jordon Ibe also dropped out, as Mamadou Sakho, Lucas Leiva, and Joe Allen came in to replace them.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes made just one change to the side that drew 0-0 with Burnley last time out, as goalkeeper Asmir Begovic replaced Jack Butland.
The game lacked passion for the opening twenty minutes, but then the floodgates opened.
Stoke took the lead in the 22nd minute through Mame Biram Diouf, as he was on hand to knock in the rebound from Charlie Adam’s shot.
Diouf got his second moments later, smashing in a wonderful long range effort.
The third came after 30 minutes from a Jonathan Walters header, with Mignolet failing to stop the first attempt.
Then Charlie Adam himself got on the scoresheet against his old club, drilling a precise effort just inside the post.
Finally, Steven N’Zonzi completed the first half humiliation with another wonder-goal.
In the second half Liverpool started slightly better and Stoke had appeared to take their foot off the gas.
Gerrard got his final ever goal for the club in the 70th minute, racing onto a Rickie Lambert flick.
With three minutes remaining Crouch added to Liverpool’s woes when he got Stoke’s sixth.
The result was Liverpool’s worst ever Premier League defeat, and as they head off for their summer holidays the owners will know a lot of work is required to put them back among the best sides in the league.
After Spurs’ 1-0 win over Everton, Liverpool have finished sixth and will have to play a Europa League qualifying game.