Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho (no. 10) celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game with team-mates during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool.

Best of the pictures from Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Middlesbrough

Liverpool secured Champions League football with a memorable 3-0 win over Middlesbrough on Sunday, in front of a joyous Anfield crowd.

It was a huge afternoon on Merseyside, with Jurgen Klopp‘s side knowing that victory would earn a top-four finish for only the second time in eight years.

With Arsenal lurking ominously just a point behind Liverpool, Klopp and his players knew that dropped points could be absolutely fatal.

The players looked in pensive mood during the warmup, ahead of the most important game of the season.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 21, 2017: Liverpool's substitute goalkeeper Loris Karius warms-up wearing the new 2017-18 training kit, before the FA Premier League match against Middlesbrough at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 21, 2017: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino warms-up wearing the new 2017-18 training kit, before the FA Premier League match against Middlesbrough at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 21, 2017: Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum warms-up wearing the new 2017-18 training kit, before the FA Premier League match against Middlesbrough at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Philippe Coutinho and James Milner were two of Liverpool’s better players during a first half lacking in quality and full of tension.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 21, 2017: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho Correia in action against Middlesbrough during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 21, 2017: Liverpool's James Milner in action against Middlesbrough during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Dejan Lovren was arguably fortunate to escape a red card, however, while Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge were on the periphery of things.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 21, 2017: Liverpool's Dejan Lovren in action against Middlesbrough during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 21, 2017: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino in action against Middlesbrough during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Gini Wijnaldum had fired Liverpool ahead with a blistering strike just before half-time, easing the nerves inside Anfield hugely.

Coutinho then once again turned up on the big occasion, curling home a trademark free-kick in front of the Anfield Road end.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 21, 2017: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho Correia scores the second goal against Middlesbrough during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 21, 2017: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho Correia scores the second goal against Middlesbrough during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 21, 2017: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho Correia scores the second goal against Middlesbrough during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Adam Lallana put the icing on the cake with his first goal of 2017—it couldn’t have come at a much better time.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 21, 2017: Liverpool's Adam Lallana celebrates scoring the third goal against Middlesbrough during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The Reds can now celebrate, having finished fourth after a long and gruelling campaign, with a crucial summer ahead for Klopp and his side.

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