It's over, Liverpool

CRYSTAL PALACE v LIVERPOOL

(Tomorrow, 3am, SingTel mio TV Ch 102; StarHub TV Ch 227)

Liverpool diehards will keep the faith and hope for one final twist, but I'm afraid we've blown our best chance of winning the EPL title.

Even if Brendan Rodgers' Reds win their Premiership tie against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park tomorrow morning (Singapore time), Manchester City have one hand on the trophy already.

If you had offered Manuel Pellegrini the scenario that Man City would need to win their final two games, at home to Aston Villa and then West Ham, to win the title, he would have taken it and said thank you very much.

Man City have been there before. Sure, they limped across the finish line when they beat QPR at the death to win the league in 2012.

But the important thing is they did it.

And after beating Everton at Goodison Park, the trickiest game of their final three fixtures, I think it's pretty much job done for City and I see them beating Liverpool to the title on goal difference, just like they did when they pipped Manchester United in 2012.

It's been an incredible season, a successful one.

No one expected Liverpool to win the title and I think my old club have learnt a huge lesson in this race - you don't always have to win, or win pretty.

In that pivotal clash against Chelsea at Anfield, it was more important not to lose.

It's hard to be critical when they were on a run of 11 straight wins and playing the game the way it should be played - attractive, attacking football.

But perhaps they were a little naive against Chelsea, who were never going to Anfield to play football.

Then, after going behind, they panicked and resorted to shots from 35 to 40 metres that were never going in.

With that result, the destiny of the title was wrenched from Liverpool's grasp. They should see off Palace and Newcastle, but that will not be enough if City also collect two wins.

Obviously it's not going to be easy next season. All the top clubs - Man City, Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, and maybe even Everton - are going to spend big in the summer.

We don't know what kind of kitty Rodgers has, but whatever he gets, he has got to spend it wisely as his side have to play in Europe next season.

The added games from the Champions League could hurt them unless they significantly strengthen their squad.

For most parts of this season, the Reds have been rather lucky with injuries.

You can see how they were affected when Daniel Sturridge had only just recovered from injury for the Chelsea game while Jordan Henderson was suspended.

I hope they can come back stronger next season and they don't have too look too far for inspiration.

Speaking from personal experience, we were all gutted when we lost the league title on the last day of the 1988/89 season, when Arsenal beat us 2-0 at Anfield to win it on goal difference.

You cannot imagine how big a blow that was, but we came right back the next season to win the league.

With the right signings and belief, Liverpool should be right in it again this time next year.

• Ray Houghton is a former Liverpool midfielder who played for the Reds from 1987 to 1992, winning two league titles and two FA Cup trophies. He is now an ambassador for the Football Association of Ireland and also works as a co-presenter on UK radio station talkSPORT.

POOL SEEKING TO STAY IN THE HUNT

Match: 0310

CRYSTAL PALACE V LIVERPOOL 

Team update: Their winning run snapped by Chelsea, how will Liverpool cope? It was 3-1 Pool at Anfield in October. Nothing's wrong with Crystal Palace.

Liverpool are also well placed for this crucial match-up.

FORM GUIDE & STANDINGS: C Palace - W W W W L (11th); Liverpool - W W W W L (2nd).

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Played 28. Palace - Won 6 Drew 6 Lost 16.