Walking to St Mary's felt surreal, there were so few people in the street, I thought the ground would be half empty, I expected a toxic atmosphere, but in the end I saw what felt like a testimonial game.

Reading social media in the week prior to the game did not make nice reading, it did not paint a pretty picture of how the day was likely to pan out, the fans were going to be revolting and Ruben Selles would be serenaded out of the club, but not in a good way.

What we got was a lively day that from a Saints perspective had both ends of the scale, some awful defending but complimented by some exhilarating attacking.

The starting line up saw no shocks, but on the bench, there was plenty of youth giving us hope for the future.

After an ok start for Saints came the usual poor defending, Saints were initially under no pressure in the 10th minute when they passed out from Alex McCarthy to his defenders, but they found themselves closed down, the sensible thing would have been to hoof it at this stage, but the ball was passed yet again this time to Romeo Lavia who facing his own goal could not see Jota behind him as he tried to pass and the Liverpool man intercepted the pass and fired into an empty net.

Four minutes later and it was 2-0 and suddenly it was looking like we might be on for a pasting, at this stage it looked like there could be 8 goals in this game and we wouldn't be getting many of them.

But Saints dug in and got themselves back into the game, on 19 minutes James Ward Prowse scored from open play when he finished a slick move, then 9 minutes later good work from Theo Walcott saw Kamaldeen Sulemana fire home an equaliser.

The second half was barely underway when Sulemana scored again and for the second time we saw his acrobatic goal celebration.

But it got better when Adam Armstrong latched on to a through ball and slotted the ball home to show the home crowd he might be a vital player in the Championship.

But the 4-2 lead didn't last long, 8 minutes to be precise when Gakpo poked the ball over the line from about 2 foot out, at this stage you hoped that Saints would keep it tight, but a minute later Liverpool were level, a stunning finish from Jota and perhaps the only goal Saints really could do nothing about.

The last 20 minutes could have gone either way, but multiple substitutions from both sides upset the flow of play and although either side could have won it, both seemed content with an entertaining draw.

The game was played in a good atmosphere with both sets of fans in good voice, but there were two moments in the game that will be remembered, firstly when Firmino left the pitch in his last game for Liverpool in the 57th minute, he was allowed to milk the applause, not just from the away supporters but also the Saints fans who showed their appreciation of a good player.

But 7 minutes later as Moi Elyounoussi left to a warm appreciation from most of the Saints support, as he was embraced by Lyanco on the way off in stepped Jordan Henderson to try and push them off the pitch.

This left a little sour taste and from remarks on Liverpool social media it seems their supporters also thought that Henderson out of order.

Late in the game saw a flurry of subs including Dominic Ballard & Amo-Ameyaw, but it seemed poignant that as the new guard came on off went the old guard, James Ward Prowse departing early in a game is not the norm and it seemed that our Captain was leaving the pitch for the last time and was being giving a chance to take the applause.

Ruben Selles said after that this was his decision and his way of allowing JWP to have some appreciation for his efforts for the season, it didn't feel like that though.

At the final whistle I was out of the ground, there was no point in staying, this season was finally ended, there was nothing to celebrate and half of the players who would do a lap of honour/shame would probably not be back at the club next season.

Now the season is over we can firstly point fingers and when we have finished doing that, secondly look to the future.

We can't change this season now, we can only influence the next, Sport Republic have been pro active in appointing new men in key roles who will be starting soon, perhaps that will nullify some of the criticism of this season, we will hopefully have leadership both in the coaching staff and also backroom staff and the boardroom.

There is of course the new manager, Russell Martin seems to be the man, I have to admit I can see little that fills me with enthusiasm, but if and when he is the manager, I will back him, if only because i have no other choice, lets be blunt when Nigel Adkins was appointed in 2010 it was not a thrilling choice and his early games saw the team lose ground in the promotion race and he was under pressure from the fans, but we stuck with him and it paid dividends and he remains one of the most popular Saints managers with the supporters.

The thing to take away from Sunday is that it is never about what has happened, it is always about what you do next, everyone makes mistakes, hopefully Sport Republic have learnt from theirs and get it right in 2023/24.

Photo: Action Images

Ifonly added 10:30 - May 30 I gave away my ticket for this game and just watched a few highlights on TV. My main thoughts: - If Liverpool had really been arsed they could have won easily. - Get used to seeing goals like the first one we gave away. That will be happening all next season. It's the Russell Martin style. - Good to see Sulemana getting goals. The first was good and his second was excellent, even against a defence that wasn't too bothered.

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JoeEgg added 10:38 - May 30 So ends one of the most disappointing seasons I can remember - and my memory goes back to the later Ted Bates days. So our forwards can score goals! What a pity they weren't given the opportunity 2 months ago with a more attacking formation and style of play instead of the dreadfully dull and sterile Selles tactics. Now many of the young talent we invested in will leave for greener pastures and futures elsewhere. As Nick says its no good dwelling on the past - its over and done. I have to say I lack confidence in Sports Republic after the catalogue of blunders thet they have made this season. Their choice of new manager also seems bizarre and hurried. And there's worse to come as the days pass and we read of the many departures of players we would have loved to see develop their careers further at St Marys. In the end our appalling form over the past two months meant that we deserved nothing better than relegation. Lets hope that whoever remains with Saints next season can restore the pride that most fans still feel for our club, and right now, feel dreadfully let down.

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SaintPaulVW added 10:47 - May 30 I think that's a very fair report. It seemed like all the strong emotions had gone and we were just left with an overall feeling of melancholy. It seems like it will be a brand new Saints on the pitch and off it next season. Just got to hope that the parachute payment isn't squandered and the money is spent sensibly to get us into a position to come back up and stay up ASAP. COYR - and stripes next year please

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underweststand added 11:15 - May 30 Neither side had anything to play for. We were already down and Liverpool have to be satisfied with a "second-grade " Europa League spot instead of a CL place. Instead we got a full-blooded, entertaining game on a hot day with plenty of goals and a chance to see what Sulkemana was capable of, and a long-awaited goal from Adam Armstrong showing what he can do given the ball more often. A memorable match that would have sent fans away with less of a bitter taste in their mouths. Perhaps a final goodbye to Prowsey, Walcott, Elyounoussi ...and who knows else. We will see the biggest "squad massacre" since Ronald Koeman took over after Pochettino's defection to Spurs almost 10 years ago. The real excitement was seeing those new names on the team sheet in the last couple of matches with more than a few fans watching another 16 year old making his debut and were asking themselves ..Sam who ? Anyone who had watched the U21/U18 highlights earlier this season would know why Ballard and Doyle had also deserved their chances. They will get more game time at the lower level, and the taste of Prem. football will urge them on to get an early return. IF Russell Martin is able to do what is required for a season or two of Championship football it might give us a new lease of life with a new generation coming in and getting their names on the team sheet more regularly.

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EvertonSaint added 11:45 - May 30 Huge changes behind the scenes and probably huge changes on the pitch. The main changes I hope will be forthcoming are Saints to return to red & white stripes, away supporters to be moved away from the Northam end and we keep the majority of the good youngsters we have. Also… STOP TRYING TO PLAY OUT FROM THE BACK. How many goals have we conceded or nearly conceded through this ‘modern’ approach.We have a very tall centre- forward, get it up to him. Now before anyone jumps out of the pram, like it or not, we will have a new manager this week. No need to bark out loud that we don’t want him, it is going to happen. It is now important we give the guy a chance before jumping down his throat. Results will determine his longevity, but that will only happen from August onwards so time to worry about who will go and who will stay. There are some good players and others we as supporters will never appreciate. We had a massive clearout last year with a few more who can follow. It is certainly going to be an interesting summer. In who do we trust? Ask me in December.

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halftimeorange added 12:01 - May 30 Personally speaking, I don't care whether it was largely a Liverpool B side with nothing to play for. What we got was a whole season's-worth of thrills and entertainment in one game. If only we had been enthralled like that in all our matches. I agree it was good to see some youngsters given cameo roles and, from what I saw of Sam Amo-Ameyaw, he looked to be one for the future, and the future is what it's all about. I look forward to August with anticipation rather than fear.

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schatfield added 12:48 - May 30 Great game in all honesty, with some fab goals. I like the look of Sam Amo-Ameyaw very much, some neat style and once players leave (and they will), he will get some chances next season. Adam Armstrong could score a hatload in the championship too. Let's not be glum - next season could be very fun.
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SanMarco added 13:38 - May 30 Entertaining game - how often have we said that this season? Hardly at all... Nick talks about pointing fingers - due to the long slow death of this season I expect most of us have already had our say and so however upset, angry or just philosophical we are it is perhaps time to look forward. SR will either learn their lessons or they won't. I am looking forward to next season on the assumption (famous last words alert) that it can't be any worse than this one and that maybe there will be more than one and three quarter entertaining games all season! One event that does deserve that overused word 'irony' attached to it is the Luton promotion - obviously we don't know it would have happened if little Nathan had stayed there but still an interesting thought - I bet he is a little bit cross...

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AmericanSaint added 16:31 - May 30 Well it is done and dusted. On to the next phase of this club's history. It was an entertaining game to be fair. The only thing I will say is that playing from the back with players who can't do it is a disaster waiting to happen. I am disappointed that AM was in goal and worried that he will be around next season. Now only time will tell if SR has learned anything or are just a bunch of fools. We have about 65 days until the next campaign and need to move quickly to get a settled squad.

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ItchenNorth added 18:15 - May 30 Good game and a really good, positive and defiant atmosphere from the Saints fans. In many ways this game summed up our season, gifting goals, throwing away a leads and typically, playing our best football, as we have all season against the better sides, those that come at you. Saints are set up for counter attacking, but our troubles have been against the sides around us, those we have to break down. Looking forward to next season already. With Martin in charge, IF he can find the right balance (right tactics) to play possession football, but, counter attacking at the right time, we a few players (Sulemana, Alcaraz, even Denepo and Endosie) to make it work. COYR

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Block8 added 19:27 - May 30 Both teams were able to play a reasonably care free game due to having nothing at all to play for. Saints showed some very good attacking play whilst retaining the ability to shoot ourselves in the foot frequently (this has got to change) and both sets of fans had a happy day. We will lose a fair few players in the window but I don't personally think we will have to buy too many replacements. We have some excellent youngsters on their way up to add to the purchases that remain. So strategic signings should be the way to go and we could do a lot worse than trying to get Shane Duffy from Fulham on a free before Norwich grab him. A bit of experience that can talk the youngsters through the season!

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