The match pack for Liverpool v Middlesbrough includes team news, statistics, manager quotes, odds and our prediction.
The game kicks off at 1500 BST at Anfield and will be live on Sky Sports 1.
Liverpool v Middlesbrough: Our prediction
Nick Hext writes... The equation is simple for Liverpool against Middlesbrough.
Win and the Reds are back in the Champions League and they don’t need to worry at all about how fifth-placed Arsenal get on against their Merseyside rivals Everton.
The Gunners’ late run of form has put Liverpool under pressure but last weekend’s 4-0 demolition of West Ham was as impressive a performance as you could see in a must-win game and it won’t need a display as good as that to dispatch already-relegated Middlesbrough.
Southampton did hold Jurgen Klopp’s men to a 0-0 draw in their last outing at Anfield but Saints are a much better side than Boro, who have conceded 11 goals in their previous three matches on the road.
Aitor Karanka’s departure came too late in the season to do anything for Boro’s survival prospects. Caretaker boss Steve Agnew’s spirited attempt to get more out of his attack has primarily managed to see a more open approach punished by superior opposition.
It will be interesting to see if Agnew gets any more out of his team with this a last glimpse of the bright lights of the Premier League for one season at least.
The criticism following last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at home to Southampton must have stung those in the Boro squad who care, see recent comments from defender George Friend for evidence of the unrest in the ranks, and I’m sure Agnew will turn his focus to players he expects to be at the club next season.
Boro, despite recent capitulations, have still conceded fewer goals than any other side in the bottom half of the standings and they do have the capability to produce a sturdy display that can make things difficult for Liverpool.
Klopp’s men showed that they can cope with must-win games last weekend and I expect the big odds-on favourites to seal their top-four spot.
However, if Boro can produce an improved display that would mean it won’t be quite as easily as the odds would suggest.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Middlesbrough
Liverpool v Middlesbrough: Team news
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is hopeful forward Roberto Firmino will be fit to return for the final match of the season at home to Middlesbrough on Sunday.
The Brazil international missed last week's win at West Ham with a muscle injury and has not trained with the squad this week but Klopp is optimistic about him being available.
With doubts over Firmino's fitness, the manager could continue with the successful midfield diamond and Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi up front.
Middlesbrough head coach Steve Agnew has no fresh injury problems.
Relegated Boro will make late checks on a trio of players, although the likelihood of goalkeeper Victor Valdes and midfielder Gaston Ramirez returning looks remote.
Valdes (ribs), Ramirez (groin) and central defender Daniel Ayala (ankle) will all have fitness tests ahead of the game at Anfield with Ayala the most likely to figure.
Teams:
Liverpool (from): Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Milner, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Coutinho, Origi, Sturridge, Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Klavan, Moreno, Lucas, Grujic, Firmino, Woodburn.
Middlesbrough (from): Guzan, Konstantopoulos, Barragan, Friend, Fabio, Chambers, Gibson, Espinosa, Husband, Fry, De Roon, Clayton, Forshaw, Leadbitter, Guedioura, Downing, Stuani, Traore, Fischer, Negredo, Gestede, Bamford.
Liverpool v Middlesbrough: Manager quotes
Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
On the importance of finishing in top four: "The Champions League, for different reasons, is a wonderful competition. You can earn a lot of money there, that's money we didn't have last year - but we are already in a good position.
"We are a club without financial problems and we have money to spend but it makes sense to think before we spend and that is what we are doing.
"The Champions League would be the icing on the cake but that's it.
"It should not sound negative but if Champions League is the only reason why a player is coming it makes no sense for him or for us because one year of not qualifying and the player decides (he) wants another Champions League club.
"It is important for players because that is what they want to play but the progress and development and positive perspective of a club is important for players and we are powerful in a lot of parts of the game.
"We will be successful in the future but for this we need the players, of course. We have very good players and we need a few more."
Should they drop to fifth, Klopp is still confident the progress made this season will be enough to persuade some of his targets it is still worth a move: "Even from outside Liverpool always looked a massive club.
"Chelsea has the money, Man City is now coming up - wonderful players, big signings - Man United is Man United, but we are a really interesting project.
"Everyone can see from outside. The mood is different, a few people are different, but the base is there.
"It is still the power and size of this club and then the perspective and that has changed, we feel it in the talks (with players).
"They have to see it, they have to feel it and they have to make a decision.
"We've made a decision before we go into the talks, of course, because that is always how it is because you commit 100 per cent.
"Plan A player says 'Aaah, sounds all good but..', plan B you are not sure and plan C you have to decide when A and B are not there.
"That is really difficult but the players are really positive this year compared to last year because they have seen our way, our football and that is good."
Steve Agnew (Middlesbrough)
On Ben Gibson, who continues to be linked with a summer move: "He's a Middlesbrough boy, he's been captain of the team for most of the season and he's a very, very proud Middlesbrough player.
"What I would say about Ben is that he is committed to this club. He's had a wonderful season as a player in a disappointing season for the club, and I have no doubt that Ben will play the majority of his career in the Premier League."
Liverpool v Middlesbrough: Opta facts
o Liverpool are unbeaten against Middlesbrough in their last 21 league games at Anfield (W15 D6); only against Stoke (32), Nottingham Forest (23) and Notts County (22) are the Reds on a longer current unbeaten at home in the league.
o In fact, Middlesbrough are one of three teams to visit Anfield on 10+ occasions in the Premier League without leaving with all three points (Sunderland – 16, Middlesbrough – 14 and Bolton – 13).
o The Reds have won each of their last four Premier League contests against Middlesbrough at Anfield, scoring 2+ goals on each occasion.
o Liverpool have won eight of their 10 Premier League final day games at Anfield (D2), scoring 27 goals.
Liverpool v Middlesbrough: Sky Bet odds
Liverpool are the 1/6 odds-on favourites with Sky Bet, who put Middlesbrough up against odds of 22/1 while pricing the draw at 15/2. Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho are joint favourites to score first at 7/2 while Alvaro Negredo is seen as the visitors’ main threat at 12/1 to break the deadlock. The Reds are 5/1 to miss out on a top-four finish, Boro are 3/1 to bounce back immediately from their relegation and return to the top flight next season.
