It’s the final day of the 2006/2007 Premiership season and Liverpool are hosting Charlton. The title has gone to Manchester United, Chelsea have wrapped up second spot and with it the second automatic qualification place for the Champions League. You’d think there was nothing to play for.

Liverpool’s game against Charlton is far from a meaningless occasion. Charlton are already relegated but teams down the bottom of the table have a habit of winning the first game after relegation. For Liverpool a win will guarantee 3rd place, although they only need to match Arsenal’s result at Portsmouth to do that. It’s the Champions League Final that is on everyone’s mind at Anfield and whatever 11 players take to the field today will know that they are playing for a chance to make the Final team.I expect Rafa to pick a full strength side that is more-or-less his team for Athens. Reina, Carragher and Gerrard are certainties for the Athens line-up and I would say Finnan, Agger, Riise, Kuyt and Crouch are all but in the 11 too. At the moment Mascherano is the front runner to partner Gerrard in midfield but today’s game will help to decide that for Benitez.

Will Pennant do enough to justify starting on the right or will it be Gerrard who plays there? Will it be Alonso or Sissoko to come into the centre? Or both? What will Rafa do about left-midfield? Can Bellamy show something to force his way into the team?

Despite the interest that all these questions bring to the game and the hope that the players will be able to focus enough to cement 3rd place all these things are over shadowed by the fact that history will be made. For the last time ever two Liverpool legends will walk out onto the hallowed turf of Anfield as Liverpool players. It is the end of the line for Jerzy Dudek and Robbie Fowler.

Some may question my use of the term legend with regard to Dudek, but having been in Istanbul to witness his double save in extra-time and his penalty heroics, I have no reservations in saying he is a legend. Nobody can question the status of Fowler. From the 4 minute hat-trick to the perfect hat-trick the following year, the list goes on and on.

I will be sad to see them both leave but it is the right time for both players. That injury may prevent Dudek from playing in the game is a cruel and unjustified blow, but Fowler will start and Fowler will score.

Thanks for the memories!

Sissoko is injured for this game and will not play. Garcia and Aurelio are still out. Dudek is a doubt but I think he’ll play.

Liverpool to win 4-0!