Hello all! Today is the day when we say goodbye to the Premier League for another season. The last two campaigns have brought us exciting finishes at the top, but this time, Chelsea wrapped up the title weeks ago. The Champions League spots have also been taken, but at the bottom, only today's results will determine who gets relegated - Hull City or Newcastle United. Here, I am going to be bringing you updates from the match between Stoke City and Liverpool at the Britannia. There's not too much to play for for either of these sides, but let's hope for a decent finale!

From Stoke's point of view, they will seal a top-half finish for the second year in a row, which is the first time that they have done that in 40 years. The Potters will finish ninth regardless of how the game pans out today, but I'm sure that Mark Hughes and his players will go all out to put on a decent display for their home supporters.

Today's visitors have been dominated by off-the-pitch activity in the last few weeks. If you haven't heard (and if you haven't, where on earth have you been?!) it's Steven Gerrard's final game for Liverpool before he jets off to the United States to play for LA Galaxy. The midfielder gave an emotional farewell to Anfield last weekend, but it's today when he is likely to wear the Liverpool shirt for the last time in his 17-year career on Merseyside.

With regards to matters on the pitch for Liverpool, all three points will seal fifth place and a spot in next season's Europa League. While it is an achievement of sorts, you can forgive Reds fans for feeling disappointed as this time last season, they were challenging for the league title.

Right, before I ramble any further, let's take a look at the team news, which has just filtered through at the Britannia. We'll begin with the hosts...

STOKE XI: Begovic; Pieters, Muniesa, Shawcross, Cameron; Whelan N'Zonzi; Arnautovic, Adam, Walters; Diouf

STOKE SUBS: Butland, Ireland, Odemwingie, Wilson, Sidwell, Crouch, Wollscheid

Mark Hughes has made just the one change to the side that played out a goalless draw with already-relegated Burnley last weekend. Amir Begovic has returned in goal, replacing Jack Butland. Now, could today's game at the Britannia be Begovic's final appearance for the Potters? The shot-stopper's future is in doubt, but we'll delve into that a bit later.

A solid back four being led by captain Ryan Shawcross will take to the field this afternoon, while Glenn Whelan and Steven N'Zonzi will anchor the midfield. Make Biram Diouf will lead the line up front on his own, with Charlie Adam sitting behind and Marko Arnautovic and Jonathan Walters providing width.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS! An interesting omission by Liverpool as Raheem Sterling, who has been at the centre of contract controversy in the last few weeks, has not been selected by manager Brendan Rodgers for the starting XI. Let's get you the team news in full...

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno; Lucas, Allen, Henderson; Gerrard, Lallana, Coutinho

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Ward, Toure, Lovren, Lambert, Sterling, Ibe, Markovic

As just mentioned, Sterling does not make the first team and has been dropped to the bench. Interestingly, Rodgers said earlier this week that the ongoing contract saga would not affect the youngster's place in the team, but looking at this lineup, one may think otherwise. Who knows, but what we do know is that Steven Gerrard will lead Liverpool out for the final time.

In the back line, Mamadou Sakho has returned from injury to replace Dejan Lovren. The Frenchman will sit alongside Emre Can, Martin Skrtel and Alberto Moreno. Jordon Ibe has dropped to the bench alongside Sterling, while Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen have been placed into the middle of the park. Gerrard is expected to have a more forward role this afternoon, with Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho forming an attack that has no recognised striker involved.

Another interesting omission if that of Glen Johnson, who is widely expected to leave Liverpool this summer. Unfortunately it appears that the defender will not be given a proper send-off. Earlier today on Twitter he wrote:

While Stoke may be the home side today, Liverpool have taken the majority of the headlines in the last few weeks, so I'll begin there. As mentioned, Gerrard will play his final game for the Reds this afternoon and given how his Anfield send-off resulted in a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, I'm sure the midfielder will be hoping for a better result on his 250th away appearance. The 34-year-old captain has been regarded as Liverpool's talisman for almost a decade and questions have already been raised about who can replace him in the team.

Gerrard's departure is just one of the many obstacles that Rodgers will have to overcome this summer. Another is the future of Sterling. It appears as though the young England international can't stay away from the headlines at the moment! The 20-year-old's agent Aidy Ward was quoted earlier this week as saying that his client will "definitely not" sign a new contract at Anfield.

In an interview with the London Evening Standard, Ward is believed to have claimed: "I don't care about the PR of the club and the club situation. I don't care. He is definitely not signing. He's not signing for £700, £800, £900 thousand a week. He is not signing."

Shortly after the interview was published, Sterling's representative denied making those claims, which have added to the circus that is surrounding Sterling's contract saga at the moment. The youngster's agent has been accused of giving the player bad advice, while Rodgers has attempted to calm the situation by insisting that his relationship with the winger is fine and that he expects Sterling to see out the remaining two years of his contract at Anfield. Despite Rodgers's remarks, the overriding feeling is that Sterling is intent on leaving the Merseyside club, with Manchester City and Arsenal thought to be waiting in the wings.

If Sterling does leave Liverpool this summer, concerns over the club's progress will be raised. Last year, they lost one of the world's top strikers in Luis Suarez and just one season later, the club will bid farewell to Gerrard and possibly Sterling, who Rodgers once described as the best young player in Europe. With the Reds' season arguably ending in a whimper due to their failure to seal a Champions League spot, the shining light for the club in the last few weeks has been that young talents Jordon Ibe and Jon Flanagan have signed new contracts.

Liverpool's recruitment this summer will be under intense scrutiny following last season's splurge on nine new signings, none of which have hit the ground running at Anfield. One particular player who has been singled out is Mario Balotelli. Liverpool paid around £16m to AC Milan for the Italian's services, but he has struggled to make any impact at Anfield. This is highlighted further in the fact that he hasn't even been included in today's squad. I wonder if Rodgers thought it was going to come to this when he said...

Rodgers could be feeling the pressure more than ever as he is about to end his third season at the club still not having won a trophy. Inevitably rumours have emerged suggesting that the Northern Irishman's job could be in trouble, with Jurgen Klopp and Rafael Benitez being touted as potential replacements, but Rodgers is adamant that he will keep his job.

Earlier this week when asked by reporters if he expects to be at Anfield for the start of next season, Rodgers said: "Yes, 150%. I'm constantly reviewing with the owners. There is probably a lot more made of that than what it actually is. There is nothing different. There have been a number of reviews.

"Throughout the season I've had great communication with the owners, I'll speak with them at the end of the season like I did last year, like I did at the end of my first year, and like I've done intermittently throughout the season."

Now in all this drama on Merseyside, we can't forget about their opponents! Stoke are also dealing with questions about the future of one of their star players - Asmir Begovic. Throughout the season, the goalkeeper has been linked with a summer move elsewhere, and Hughes has stated time after time that he wants his shot-stopper to sign a new deal. However, Begovic raised doubts about his Stoke future recently when he spoke to the Daily Mail.

He said: "My future? I couldn't tell you 100% at the moment, ut I'm at a certain stage of my career, I'll be 28 this summer. I've played a lot of games and developed in the last five years at this club.

"We will sit down after the season ends and see where we want to take things going forward. I have a lot of respect for the manager, what he has done over the last couple of years has been great.

"But it's about trying to be ambitious as possible, to win and compete for as much as possible because I'm going to be 28, not 20."

While Begovic's future continues to rumble on, another player in the squad has opted to extend his stay at the Britannia. Stoke confirmed this morning that Geoff Cameron has signed a new deal that will keep him with the Potters until 2018. Good news for the fans!

The players are busy preparing for this afternoon's game, but prior to kickoff the club have unveiled a new statue of former player Gordon Banks. The man himself was there for the ceremony.

With regards to on the field, Stoke are due for an impressive ninth finish, but you feel that from next season, the Potters should start to push on perhaps challenge for a European spot. Hughes has always been restricted to a tight budget with regards to transfers, but they were able to impress by sealing the signature of Bojan Krkic last summer for around £3m, and if the Barcelona graduate hadn't have suffered a serious knee injury in January, you feel as though the Potters would have been much stronger in the second half of the season.

Hughes has stated previously that Stoke will one day have the funds to spend big on a marquee signing, so could that be this summer? We will have to wait and see of course, but a statement like that could be the difference between a top-10 and top-six finish next season.

In terms of results, Stoke have been inconsistent of late having recorded two wins, two draws and a defeat in their last five league games. They do, though, have a strong defensive record and have conceded just six more goals than Manchester City throughout the entire campaign. That could prove to be helpful against a Liverpool side who have struggled to break down defences of late.

The Reds have secured just one victory in their last five games and due to their goal threat being hampered by Daniel Sturridge's numerous injury woes, Gerrard sits as the club's current top scorer for the season. In their last five trips on the road, Rodgers has overseen his side grab just one triumph, which was against Swansea City thanks to a single goal from Jordan Henderson.

PREDICTION: With just minutes to go before we get underway, let's consider how this game might play out. The history books sway in Liverpool's favour as the Reds have won their last three games against Stoke, but the Merseyside outfit are not heading into this game in the best form. The Potters are always a tough nut to crack on home soil and Jonathan Walters has enjoyed playing against Liverpool at the Britannia as he has scored four goals in his last three fixtures. Given the form of both sides at the moment, I personally can't see past a 1-1 draw.

I'm not the only one at Sports Mole who is delivering predictions - our panellists Matt Law and Pascal Lemesre have also had their say in the video below.

Right, the players are heading out onto the pitch and play will be underway shortly. Let's hope for an exciting final game at the Britannia!

KICKOFF! Stoke get us underway for the first half! Remember, Liverpool's fifth place is in jeopardy as Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton are just behind them in the table.

Stoke have started on the attack as Diouf is able to get behind Skrtel, but the Liverpool defender just out-muscles his opponent to prevent any shot being taken at goal.

Gerrard gets tackled to the ground by his former teammate Adam in the middle of the park. Liverpool get the free kick close to the halfway line, and Gerrard moves away trying to shake off the effects of the tackle.

Shawcross reads Countinho's move well as the Brazilian tries to play in Allen. The Stoke defender cuts it out and the ball eventually gets to Adam, who unleashes a shot from 30 yards out, but it flies over the bar.

The home side go on the attack again as Arnautovic sends in a diagonal ball over the top for Walters, but Moreno manages to get in a decent tackle to halt the move.

BOOKING! Charlie Adam receives the first yellow card early in the match after clattering into Skrtel after his first touch let him down. It looks as though Stoke are more than happy to get physical this afternoon!

The home side are awarded with a free kick after Sakho raises his foot on Walters. A corner results from it and Adam delivers an inswinger, but his effort goes straight out of play. Seconds later, Walters goes for goal, but his attempt just drags wide.

Stoke have started the much better side here, but Liverpool have the chance to make an impact as Lallana drives down the left-hand side of the area, but his cross lets him down. Coutinho is able to pick the ball up and he lays it off for Henderson, but the midfielder's ball into the box is cleared.

What a wasted chance from Coutinho! The Brazilian has impressed this season, but not on this occasion. Gerrard plays in a lovely ball for his teammate and after Coutinho committed past defenders with some decent footwork, he sends the ball high over the bar with his shot.

BOOKING! More cards are being shown as Lucas goes into the book for Liverpool. The midfielder can have no complaints after slamming into Walters.

BOOKING! It's a third yellow card in less than 20 minutes! Whelan gets booked for cynically halting Lallana while he was on the attach for the visitors.

At the other end of the pitch, Diouf finds space down the right and manages to send a low pass into the area, but Moreno reads it well and breaks up the movement.

Stoke are getting plenty of the ball in these early stages and while they have nothing to play for on this final day, it doesn't look like it from this current showing. Liverpool are pedestrian and Adam manages to find space again to unleash a 30-yard shot, but it flies over the crossbar.

CHANCE! Despite Stoke's pressing, Liverpool get the first decent effort as Lallana shows impressive footwear to get into the penalty area. The England international curls a left-footed effort towards goal, but it's inches wide of the post.

The home side respond immediately as Arnautovic gets the ball and aims his cross into the box, but his attempt is poor as it's overhit and bobbles out for a goal kick.

Diouf opens the scoring for the hosts and it's nothing more than they've deserved. Arnautovic cuts in from the left and delivers the ball to Adam on the edge of the box. The former Liverpool man goes for goal and Mignolet is able to knock it away, but it falls to Diouf, who slots in on the rebound.

Lallana, who has arguably been the only effective player for the Reds so far in this first half, whips in a cross into the area, but Begovic is able to snatch the ball in the air comfortably. Seconds later, Lallana is involved again, but he's flagged offside.

It's two goals for Diouf in the space of four minutes! The forward will be delighted with this effort as he blasted a right-footed short from the edge of the penalty area into the roof of the net. Mignolet should have done better to get a touch on it, but you can't deny that Stoke deserve their two-goal lead.

UPDATE: The bad news gets worse for Liverpool as Harry Kane has just put Tottenham in the lead against Everton at Goodison Park. As it stands, Liverpool drop out of the Europa League spot and if Southampton get a result against Manchester City, then the Reds could finish seventh this afternoon.

Liverpool get a chance to trouble Begovic with a free kick on the right-hand side of the area, but Shawcross is there to head clear Gerrard's cross.

What did I say about Walters earlier?! He loves to score against Liverpool! Stoke have a third goal within half an hour and they are flying! It's disastrous for the Reds as Can heads Adam's cross back towards his own goal. It falls straight to Walters and Mignolet appears to have reverted to his old self as he fails to handle the close-range header. What a finale this is turning out to be for the Potters!

Stoke have a spring in their step now and Liverpool have a huge uphill struggle to get anything out of this game.

Liverpool are awarded with a corner and they take it short to Coutinho, who lays it off for Henderson, but the midfielder's attempt at goal gets deflected behind for another corner, which comes to nothing.

Allen gets possession in the middle of the park and spots Henderson's run. The Welshman aims the ball in his teammate's direction, but Pieters gets to it first. The home crowd are loving every minute of this as they cheer their team every time they touch the ball.

Lallana fumes at the referee after going to ground in the penalty area, claiming that Cameron brought him down, but Lee Mason waves away his claims. The England international probably does have a case as contact was made, but his theatrical fall to the ground didn't help him.

Skrtel manages to save his side by heading clear a dangerous ball in from Walters, who was searching for Diouf. Rodgers has a big team talk ahead of him!

Liverpool are lacking inventiveness. Coutinho tries to make things happen by chipping the ball into the box, but Arnautovic tracks back with Henderson to head the ball back to his goalkeeper.

Wow, what a result this is turning out to be for Stoke! Adam haunts his former club by picking the ball off Lucas in midfield and driving towards the area. He unleashes a left-footed shot which settles into back of the net. Liverpool are in complete disarray.

Stoke are scoring for fun now! N'Zonzi makes it five! The Frenchman storms through the middle of the field before curling a stunning effort into the corner. What an embarrassing afternoon for the Reds.

Liverpool get a chance to take back some dignity when Coutinho gets brought down on the edge of the area. Gerrard lines up to take it, but his effort slams into the wall.

Well, I wonder how many bet on this half-time scoreline?! Quite an incredible first 45 minutes from Stoke as Mame Biram Diouf, Jonathan Walters, Charlie Adam and Steven N'Zonzi all get on the scoresheet. The hosts have managed to hit five past a Liverpool side who already look like they're on holiday in all honesty.

With Liverpool's fifth-place finish looking uncertain, you would have thought that Brendan Rodgers's side would have come out firing, but no, it was the complete opposite. Stoke have looked comfortable on the ball throughout and they've been able to test Simon Mignolet numerous times. Mark Hughes will be delighted with his team's approach and will be hoping that they haven't stopped at five!

As for Liverpool, well, I think 'shambles' would be the best word to describe them. They've looked short of ideas and Emre Can is raising questions over whether he can handle a defensive role. Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho have been the only players to show a sense of attacking threat, but not enough to trouble Stoke.

There needs to be a big half-time team talk from Rodgers and I will be shocked if he doesn't make any changes at the break. Surely there's too much of a mountain to climb for the visitors, and their priority will be to keep the mauling at just five goals. Either way, it looks to be a miserable send-off for Gerrard.

UPDATE: Let's take a look at what's going on elsewhere in the Premier League. As it stands at half time:

Arsenal 4-0 West Brom
Aston Villa 0-1 Burnley
Chelsea 1-1 Sunderland
Crystal Palace 0-0 Swansea
Everton 0-1 Tottenham
Hull 0-0 Manchester United
Leicester 2-0 QPR
Man City 1-0 Southampton
Newcastle 0-0 West Ham

RESTART! Liverpool get us underway for the second half. Let's see if they can salvage some pride...

LIVERPOOL SUBS: As expected, Rodgers has made changes after that first-half drubbing. Kolo Toure and Jordon Ibe have come on for Emre Can and Albert Moreno. The changes indicate that the back four has switched to a back three.

Coutinho claims for a handball in the box as Wilson blocks the Brazilian's flick for Gerrard, but the referee waves it away.

The visitors have started this second half brighter as Lucas has the ball played through to him, but Stoke force the Brazilian out wide and Begovic eventually turns it behind.

BOOKING! The referee adds to Liverpool's woes as Skrtel receives a yellow card after bringing down Diouf, who was on the charge after Stoke broke forward.

Liverpool are having plenty of the ball in these early stages, but they're not doing much with it. Ibe tries to continue the progressive play, but he sends it straight into touch. Here's an interesting fact, but not a fun one for Liverpool fans - before today, the Reds have not conceded five first-half goals since December 1992.

Rodgers's change in formation requires Ibe and Henderson to act as wingbacks, but at the moment, the team are struggling to utilise them.

The home fans aren't happy with referee Lee Mason as claims for a handball are dismissed. An effort from 30 yards is sent into the box and it appears to graze the arm of Sakho, but as mentioned, Mason isn't having any of it.

Due to Stoke's impressive lead, it looks as though Hughes has told his men to get behind the ball in order to preserve it. The problem for Liverpool is that they have no focal point up top. Gerrard tries to send the ball through to Coutinho, but Shawcross gets there to comfortably clear.

Ibe uses his pace to to break down he left-hand side. The youngster manages to get past Cameron, but his cross into the box is blocked.

The first 45 minutes of the game were full of entertainment, but this half has been rather lacklustre so far. Stoke seem happy to sit back and allow Liverpool plenty of possession. The problem for the visitors is that they haven't been able to make the most of their time on the ball. Lallana sums up Liverpool's day by running the ball out of play and kicking an advertising hoarding in frustration.

Diouf is isolated up front, but Walters tries to play him in by whipping in a cross after getting away from Skrtel, but the ball gets cleared.

CHANCE! It's the closest that Liverpool have come to scoring all afternoon, but it doesn't come off. Lallana manages to dance his way through Stoke's back four. He goes one on one with Begovic, but the Bosnian keeper is able to turn away Lallana's effort.

SAVE! Begovic is involved again as Gerrard breaks into the penalty area after a strong run. The midfielder is off balance as he takes the shot, and the keeper comfortably saves.

STOKE, LIVERPOOL SUBS: The hosts make their first chance as Peter Odemwingie comes on to replace Jonathan Walters. Meanwhile, Joe Allen makes way for Rickie Lambert.

It may not be the result that he wanted to end his final Liverpool game with, but Steven Gerrard has scored what is likely to be his last goal for the Merseyside club. After missing a 30-yard attempt, the captain charges through the middle to slot the ball into the bottom left corner. Not only do Liverpool fans show their appreciation, but Stoke fans also get on their feet to applaud the midfielder.

STOKE SUB: Hughes is forced to make a change as Marc Muniesa leaves the field with what appears to be an injury and is replaced with Marc Wilson.

Liverpool try to ramp up the attack as Coutinho delivers a shot from distance, but his attempt is gathered by Begovic.

Stoke are threatening less and less as the half goes on, but Hughes seems happy with that approach. Lambert is given the task of holding the ball up against his opponent's solid defensive line, but as of yet, Liverpool haven't played the ball in too often for the frontman.

Ibe has shown promise by beating Cameron on numerous runs. This time, the teenager's cross is turned behind and as the corner comes in, Coutinho connects to thump a shot towards goal, but it goes over the crossbar.

BOOKING! Erik Pieters is the next to go in the referee's book. The Stoke man has no complaints as he takes out Henderson with a poor tackle.

UPDATE: As it stands, Liverpool are on course to finish sixth as Tottenham are beating Everton and Southampton are losing to Manchester City.

The referee needs to make another decision regarding a penalty call as Lallana falls to the ground after tussling with Pieters in the box, but Mason says no.

STOKE SUB: That's the end of Marko Arnautovic's day at the Britannia as Peter Crouch comes on the field.

Liverpool go on the break from a Stoke corner. Gerrard's involved as he charges down the flank before Ibe charges forward and picks up the ball. The youngster unleashes a cross into the box, but it's blocked.

Another ex-Liverpool player has damaged his former club as Peter Crouch makes it six! The forward hammered the nail in the coffin by heading the ball into the back of the net after connecting to Diouf's swinging cross.

That goal has put Crouch's name into the history books as he converted the Premier League's 47th headed goal.

I think the Liverpool players are just waiting for the final whistle now so they can get on the coach home and dissect what has been a disappointing season for the club. Stoke fans will party into the night, I'm sure, after witnessing their side hit six past the Merseyside outfit.

So, there we have it. Liverpool's season has ended in a whimper after suffering a heavy 6-1 defeat to Stoke at the Britannia. It was far from the dream send-off that Steven Gerrard wanted, but the Potters have wrapped up their campaign in style.

The result means that Liverpool have dropped to sixth place in the Premier League table and Stoke finish their season in ninth. That's all from me, but Sports Mole will be back next season to do it all again! In the meantime, stick with us for all the reaction, match analysis and player ratings. Enjoy!