Every season there is always one game on the final day of the season that unashamedly embraces the carnival atmosphere of early summer football.
With both sides unable to move up or down the table, Southampton and Liverpool fit the billing and emphatically filled the brief with a bonkers 4-4 draw on the south coast this Sunday. As Diogo Jota pointed out once he had regained his breath: "I think when we have a game with both teams having nothing to lose, you can expect some goals."
Lost in the scoring spree was Roberto Firmino's final farewell to Liverpool. After eight years, seven trophies and 362 appearances, the Brazilian had one more goal to add to his triple-digit haul.
Collecting the ball at the top of Southampton's box, Firmino left Jan Bednarek and Lyanco entangled in a heap with one illusory swing of his right boot. Stepping into the space his trickery had created, Firmino drilled Liverpool into a 2-0 lead with the 111th strike of his career at the club.
The goal will naturally stand out but Firmino began his final appearance for the Reds with the type of selfless pressing that has defined his time on Merseyside. Haring after Southampton's Alex McCarthy with familiar zeal, Firmino set the tone for the high press that ensnared Romeo Lavia. The young Saints midfielder blindly swept the ball across the box for Jota to tap in a gift of an opening goal after ten minutes.
Liverpool appeared to be cruising towards a routine final-day victory but Southampton would not bow out of the English top flight without a fight. On what may well have been his final appearance for the Saints, captain James Ward-Prowse halved the deficit within five minutes of Firmino's goal.
Kamaldeen Sulemana scored twice on either side of half-time - his first goals since joining Southampton during a haphazard January transfer window - putting the Saints ahead at the end of a mazy run.
Firmino's Liverpool career was brought to a definitive end in the 57th minute. The Reds may have been trailing but the Brazilian trotted off to a warm reception from everyone in St Mary's.
Stuart Armstrong came off the bench to extend Southampton's advantage before Cody Gakpo and Jota scored twice in a matter of seconds to haul Liverpool level. Jurgen Klopp's side couldn't find a winning goal but even after such a thrilling encounter, the day would be defined by Firmino's departure.
Reaction to Firmino's final Liverpool game
At the end of 90 crazy minutes, Firmino and James Milner - also lining up for Liverpool one last time - were ushered in front of the travelling fans. Although, Firmino needed a shove from Mohamed Salah to step in front of his teammates and take the applause.
Firmino announced his decision to rule out any possibility of extending his contract at Liverpool all the way back in March. However, the realisation that almost a decade of glittering success would actually come to an end made for an emotional afternoon among the watching public.
Where Firmino may end up is uncertain, with talk of Real Madrid leading the pack of spurious rumours. However, as Liverpool fans were quick to point out, whichever club can snag the Brazilian's signature will not regret it.
LISTEN NOW
On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth and Graeme Bailey to discuss all the latest transfer news. On the agenda: Tottenham's pursuit of Feyenoord manager Arne Slot, Bayern Munich's interest in Declan Rice, Joshua Kimmich, Neymar & more!
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
This article was originally published on 90min as How Roberto Firmino fared in final Liverpool game.
