It was in most Liverpool fans’ diaries as the game their team would probably need to win to clinch the Barclays Premier League title. Instead it became the match they would use to say goodbye to Sami Hyypia after a decade of magnificent service.

And it was almost as nerve-racking as a title-clinching match would have been with Rafael BenÍtez waiting until the 84th minute before allowing the Finland defender on to the pitch. The Kop had begun to panic and roared for the Liverpool manager to bring on Hyypia and when he did, the cheers could not have been louder had BenÍtez kissed the League trophy itself.

It was palpable, though; something was missing. There was no silverware to parade in spite of Liverpool enjoying a thrilling season. Instead of the sun glinting off a trophy, it instead shone upon the blond locks of Hyypia, who, having seen the Kop produce a human mosaic bearing his name and the flag of his nation and heard his name chanted relentlessly as he warmed the touchline for most of the game, sobbed at the final whistle while wearing the captain’s armband.

It was all so moving that momentarily the fact Manchester United had won the title was forgotten. Even BenÍtez was swayed. He had planned to wait until the final minute to bring on Hyypia but admitted he caved in as the fans “were pushing and pushing”.

Hyypia, 35, will strengthen the defence at Bayer Leverkusen next season and although his first-team appearances were limited at Liverpool, that he will be missed for more than sentimental reasons was underlined when, in the 90th minute, he connected with a corner kick from Fábio Aurélio and his header was cleared off the line. Liverpool without Hyypia will be all the poorer at attacking set-pieces.

There is no controversy surrounding Hyypia’s departure but plenty of speculation regarding the future of Xabi Alonso. BenÍtez confirmed he has been in talks with the Spain midfield player and his agent but declared that, with three years left on his contract, “he’s not for sale”. BenÍtez denied the need to sell Alonso to raise funds for new blood – “We can manage,” he said – but did not deny that Alonso may have declared he wants to leave Anfield.

It came as something of a surprise to learn, courtesy of Harry Redknapp, that Tottenham Hotspur “were desperate at half-time” to push for an unlikely victory. The manager knew that Fulham were losing and that opened the opportunity for Spurs to qualify for the Europa League at the West London side’s expense. However, the visiting team were out-classed by a Liverpool side playing at times quite distractedly and lacked the conviction to capitalise.

Robbie Keane did manage to score on his return to Anfield having failed to impress BenÍtez in the 28 appearances he made for the Merseyside club. Keane’s sale back to Spurs at a loss underlined the ruthlessness of BenÍtez – a ruthlessness that could also result in Alonso’s departure. The fans, in the short breaks from serenading Hyypia, made it plain they want the Spaniard to stay put and Alonso responded with a couple of trademark long-range lobs that narrowly failed to beat Heurelho Gomes in the Tottenham goal.

Keane’s goal came after Liverpool had scored twice through a header by Fernando Torres and a shot from Dirk Kuyt that was deflected past Gomes by Alan Hutton. Liverpool notched their performance up a gear in response to Keane’s strike and Steven Gerrard set up Yossi Benayoun, whose shot was met by the knee of Gomes but trickled in anyway.

United finished the season four points clear and Liverpool, in spite of losing only twice in the league all season, are not a club to take any joy from taking the runners-up spot.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): J M Reina 5 – J Carragher 6, M Skrtel 6, D Agger 6, F Aurélio 6 – X Alonso 7, J Mascherano 7 – D Kuyt 6 (sub: A Riera, 66min 5), S Gerrard 6 (sub: S Hyypia, 84), Y Benayoun 6 – F Torres 6 (sub: D Ngog, 79). Substitutes not used: D Cavalieri, Lucas Leiva, E Insua, P Degen.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): H Gomes 5 – A Hutton 5, V Corluka 5, L King 5, B Assou-Ekotto 5 – L Modric 5, D Zokora 5, J Jenas 5 (sub: D Bentley, 40 5), G Bale 5 (sub: D Bent, 79) – R Keane 6, J Defoe 5 (sub: R Pavlyuchenko, 70 5). Substitutes not used: C Cudicini, C Gunter, P Chimbonda. Booked: Corluka.

Referee P Walton Attendance 43,937

Players of the season

Liverpool Xabi Alonso A fine long passer and heartbeat of the side, his tackling is underrated. Just as well Rafael BenÍtez failed to sell him last summer.

Tottenham Jonathan Woodgate The injury-prone defender missed only four league games and played a key role in his side’s vastly improved defensive record.