An amazing solo goal from Jordon Ibe ensured Liverpool avoided defeat in their final Premier League game of the season at West Bromwich Albion but ultimately miss out on a place in Europe - except they beat Sevilla in the Europa League final.
Ibe struck into the bottom corner on 23 minutes after an impressive 50-yard surge down the right flank as the Reds came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns.
Jurgen Klopp's side had fallen behind 10 minutes earlier when slack defending allowed Salomon Rondon to fire home an angled drive from 10 yards.
But the real bonus was the sight of both Jordan Henderson and Danny Ings making their return to action as second-half substitutes after lengthy injury lay-offs.
However, the result means Liverpool will not play in the Europa League next season after finishing eighth, equalling their lowest finish since being promoted back to the top flight in 1962.
Cameron Brannagan was handed a first Premier League start – and Sergi Canos made his Reds debut as a late substitute – as Klopp rested his anticipated starting line-up for the Europa League final against Sevilla on Wednesday.
Unsurprisingly, the Reds were slow to settle and fell behind in the 13 minute.
As against Chelsea in midweek, they were undone by a failure to tackle as they allowed Jonathan Leko to pounce on a loose Joe Allen pass, stroll to the edge of the area and slip in Rondon, who thumped in low at Adam Bogdan's near post.
Liverpool responded. Christian Benteke turned and shot into the side-netting and Brannagan shot weakly at Ben Foster after a good run.
And the Reds were level on 23 minutes through a fine individual goal from Ibe, who outfoxed Jonny Evans on the right wing and raced 50 yards, cutting inside and drifting beyond two defenders before finishing into the bottom corner.
It was Ibe's fourth goal of the season and his first since January, and his first in the Premier League.
West Brom almost regained the lead two minutes into the second half when Craig Gardner whipped a disputed free-kick into the area and Rondon hammered a header against the inside of the post.
Rondon then saw a gilt-edged chanced cleared off the line by Lucas and Craig Dawson headed over.
By now, both Henderson and Ings had been introduced, the latter given a rousing reception from the away end, with Canos later brought on as the game petered out into a forgettable draw.
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Miss out on Europa league? You guys just don't get it. Liverpool's goal this season is to get a champion's league spot next season, not play Europa. It's either that or stay local and try and win the EPL next season. Play Europa next season is not something they want to do at all.
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