Liverpool boss, Rodgers, concedes title to City

Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, believes his side’s hopes of winning the title are now over, after they sensationally let slip a three-goal lead 11 minutes to end of regulation time to draw with Crystal Palace.

An unmarked header from Joe Allen put the Reds in front on 19 minutes, and that was how it stayed until early in the second half when they scored two goals in as many minutes through Daniel Sturrdge’s deflected shot and Luis Suarez’ close-range effort.

With a three-goal cushion, Liverpool appeared to be cruising to victory until Damien Delaney’s speculative shot was deflected past Simon Mognolet, giving the home side confidence and belief. Dwight Gayle guided home Yannick Bolasie’s cross, and then fired in after being put through by Glenn Murray, to even the scores.

Some Liverpool players were inconsolable at the end of the match; and Rodgers has now conceded the title to Man City, who need just a win and a draw from their home games against Aston Villa and West Ham United.

“There is no doubt Manchester City will go on and win it. We needed to win to keep the pressure on going into the last game, and we did not do that,” a disappointed Rodgers said.

“We were outstanding for 78 minutes. We got three goals, and looked like we could get a few more, but to concede the three goals at the end was hugely disappointing. At half-time, we said that the most important thing was to win the game. It was not about Roy of the Rovers football to make up the goal difference; it was just about winning.”